Dad's remembrance plea for stabbed son's birthday

The father of a boy who died after being stabbed at a house party has asked people to change their social media profile pictures on what would have been his 19th birthday.

Charlie Cosser, from Milford, Surrey, was stabbed in the chest three times at a party attended by more than 100 people in Warnham, West Sussex, on 23 July 2023.

He died two days after the attack.

"I've asked the community to update their profile pictures to one of my favourite pictures of Charlie," said his dad Martin Cosser.

Speaking to BBC South East, he said: "Charlie's mum and I said the most important thing is that people remember who he is and we don't want anyone to forget that."

Since Charlie died, Mr Cosser has campaigned for greater awareness of knife crime and gives talks in schools.

A charity games day was also held at Charterhouse School, near Godalming, where Charlie was an apprentice groundsman.

Mr Cosser said: "No parent or sibling wants to be going through what we are going through. It is a life of hell and all for three seconds of evil."

On Charlie's 18th birthday, Mr Cosser planted a tree in his memory and this year, he will take on a 12-mile (19km) walk.

Charlie's killer, Yura Varybrus, is currently serving a life sentence in prison for his murder.

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