The OLT was set up after our Trustee, Michelle lost her son Oli at 16 to suicide. Oli, to everyone who knew him, was polite, confident and full of love. A leader among men. His friends looked to him for both inspiration and support. He was the friend everyone referred to as their best friend. He was selfless with his time to anyone who needed him. If he saw anyone being left out he would always include them. Oli had so many friends, and to each one of them he gave the same love and attention. Oli was always the perfect gentlemen. His manners were impeccable, always offering to help carry shopping, helping out anyone who ever need his help. Oli would dominate a room with his personality and charisma. Yet Michelle always said that this was a front to cover underlying insecurities.
Sport played a big part in Oli's life. He played Football for the London Lions, referred for the Hertfordshire League, played rugby for Harrow RFC, but his real love was for Futsal, especially for Pro Futsal. Oli represented Great Britain in the 2018 Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, Israel as the under-16 Futsal goalkeeper.
From a very young age Oli contributed much to the wider society in which he lived. His charitable efforts included fundraising for Jewish Care, helping out in a rest home on Christmas Day, manning phones for charitable appeals, taking part in Maccabi GB fun runs, triathlons and much more.
Oli excelled academically at school, especially at mathematics. He was singled out from a young age as a gifted pupil and his ability to debate current affairs could reduce adults around him to blabbering wrecks! Oli was destined for a career either in politics or business and he would have been a great success in either. Michelle always said Oli would be Prime Minister one day.
In remembering Oli , and by making grants to small charities that are trained in delivering suicide prevention and mental health training programmes we are able to celebrate and remember Oli's life by helping other teenagers to see through the fog.