Charlie Cosser was just 17 when he left for a party and never came home. Now, more than a year after his murder, a charity games has been held in his honour. 

Charlie, from Milford, was fatally stabbed on a crowded dance floor at an end of term party in West Sussex last July. He died in hospital two days later.

His killer, Yura Varybrus, 17, was sentenced to life for the murder last month.

Martin Cosser, Charlie’s dad, made a promise to Charlie as he lay dying in hospital that he would spend his life educating people about knife crime. In honour of his son, Martin Cosser launched Charlie’s Promise, a charity aimed at raising awareness and supporting those affected by knife crime.

Charlie’s Games was held on Saturday to raise money for the charity and bring together the community who knew and loved Charlie.

Martin said the event was the charity’s biggest fundraiser to date.

He said: “The games brought the community together to remember Charlie’s life and raise awareness about knife crime. It has also given them a chance to support our family because when Charlie was taken, everyone wanted to help, but they didn’t know how.

“You should’ve heard the crowd roar when I asked them if they wanted this to become an annual event.”

An army of volunteers helped make the event happen and the money raised will go towards helping families who have suffered like the Cosser family has over the last year.

Charlie’s Games on Saturday began with two fun runs at Charterhouse School, where Charlie was an apprentice groundsman. The main event at Jubilee Field in Milford saw eight teams participating in a range of games, live music, food and drink stalls, and an inflatable obstacle course.

Charlie’s best friend, Will Ransom, 18, said: “I was very lonely before Charlie became my best friend. He was everything to me, and his family are now as well.

“I got a tattoo of him because although I will never forget him, I want people to ask about him. I want everyone to remember him.”

James Jagger, Charlie’s uncle, said: "Knife crime is so endemic, just look at Southport. Just the other day, one of my students had a knife held to her throat when she got off a train. 

“Something has to change. This is why Martin made that promise to Charlie and started Charlie’s Promise.”

Charlie’s Promise has raised more than £120,000 since registering as a charity in March.