“The more we can raise awareness, the more people will understand the risks”
Tonight The Deep is lighting up orange in recognition of a charity founded after a heartbreaking tragedy in Hull. One Punch Hull and East Yorkshire was set up following the preventable death of Scott Akester.
The charity was set up in memory of Scott by his parents, Debbie and Steve Akester, and Scott’s partner, Naomi. Since 2023, the charity has been sharing its message that a single punch can be lethal and to STOP, THINK and WALK AWAY from a confrontational situation.
This week also marks the start of One Punch Awareness Week. Steve Akester said: ‘The support we are receiving by everyone supporting our charity and the work we are delivering is fantastic, we hadn’t heard of ‘One Punch’ attacks before this happened to Scott, so the more we can raise awareness, the more people will understand the risks and walk away from confrontational situations.”
So far this year, the charity has delivered over 25 talks in schools, colleges and training centres across Hull and East Yorkshire. This means more than 8,000 people have heard their talk, ‘Scott’s Story’.
One Punch Hull & East Yorkshire also took their play, ‘One Punch’, written in partnership with Jane and Martha Godber from the John Godber Foundation, to Manchester in February. The play is fictional, but based on Scott’s story and takes audiences through the events of that night, the impact on the family, and how things could have turned out differently.
It was performed over four nights and received four-star reviews from theatre critics. The charity has also released a book called ‘Scott’s Story’, written by Debbie Akester, which is available to buy on Amazon and has received five-star reviews from readers.
Since setting up their charity, the family have spoken to a number of families affected by One Punch. They will continue to offer their support and advice when they open their Walk In Hub in Princes Quay, Hull in a couple of months’ time.
It has always been a vision for the family to have a place where people can call in to see them, a safe place to come along and meet other families, where activities and workshops can be delivered for those affected by violence. The charity will be getting involved in lots of activity across the One Punch Awareness Week, starting with an information stall in the entrance of the Guildhall, attended by the Civic Lord Mayor Cllr Payne, with One Punch Hull and East Yorkshire being one of her chosen charities this year.
The charity will also be delivering talks across schools and Apprenticeship Centres to share their story, which also includes support regarding managing your anger and avoiding getting into a situation which could result in violence. Walking away from a situation is their advice because ‘at least you will be here the next day’.
‘If this can happen to Scott, it can happen to anyone they speak to’, they add. Schools and businesses are supporting their work by holding a ‘non-uniform day’ or ‘wear orange’ day to raise much need funds.
They said the more people talk about One Punch, the more the risks will be understood. For more information about the charity, you can follow them on their Facebook page ‘One Punch Hull’ or their website www.onepunchhull.com