Owen's World to hold launch party in memory of Swindon teen stab victim
Owen Dunn was killed in north Swindon in December
Last updated 17th Mar 2023
A Swindon organisation, created in memory of a local teenager who was killed, is holding its launch party tonight.
Owen Dunn was stabbed to death on the junction of Mazurek Way and Torun Way, Haydon End, on 4 December.
The attack rocked the Swindon community, with more than £11,000 subsequently being raised to support his family.
In the wake of the stabbing, Owen's World was founded by Joanne Gonzalez, whose son was close friends with the 18-year-old.
'The most painful thing I've ever had to go through'
We joined the Community Interest Company (CIC) on a visit to the knife angel in Gloucester last month.
Owen's Grandma, Trisha Aldred, spoke exclusively to Greatest Hits Radio that day. She said her "whole word died" when her grandson was killed.
"He was such a lovely person and everyone loved him. He was a part of my heart and now everything is totally broken.
"He was my Owensy and I was his Nansy. We had our own little pet names for each other.
"I'll never, ever forget him. I had three grandsons and now I've only got two. That is the most painful thing that I've ever had to go through.
"I just don't want anyone to go through what I myself, my daughter and my family are going through. So we need to clamp down on knife crime," she added.
What is Owen's World aiming to achieve?
The group wants to improve services that are being offered to youngsters across Swindon, to help with daily struggles and stop them turning to knife crime. It's calling for better mental health support, places to socialise and employment opportunities.
The CIC is also looking to make self-defence lessons compulsory on the national school curriculum, to teach children how to protect themselves from attacks. Organisers believe these lessons would educate pupils in discipline too.
A petition has now been opened by Owen's World. It will need 10,000 signatures for a government response and 100,000 to be considered for debate in parliament.
Owen's Auntie Lauren Page, one of the Owen's World organisers, told us: "I would love to be able to go into schools, as young as Year Six, and show these children about (the impacts of) carrying knives, gang crime, carrying a knife to fit in".
Tonight's party, at the Moonrakers pub near Penhill, will feature a raffle. All the proceeds generated from sales will go to Owen's World.
The event starts at 7pm, with tickets costing £5.
Two people, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged with Owen's murder.
A 17-year-old boy has been remanded in custody, with a case management hearing scheduled for 20 March at Bristol Crown Court.
He has also been charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place.
A 14-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter. His trial date is set for 5 June.
Police are continuing to urge anyone with information about the incident to call 101, quoting reference Operation Glendale.
Alternatively, people can contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.