21 Promises for Charlie
To mark what would have been Charlie's 21st birthday, we are launching 21 for 21 - a fundraising and awareness campaign running throughout October in Charlie's memory, honouring the life he should have had.
21 for 21
On 28th October 2026, Charlie 'Cheeks' Cosser would have turned 21.
He was a fun-loving, cheeky 17-year-old with a passion for football, a groundkeeping apprenticeship he loved, and a lads' holiday just days away.
On 22nd July 2023, he went to a house party in West Sussex and never came home.
To mark what would have been his 21st birthday, we are launching 21 for 21, a fundraising and awareness campaign running throughout October in Charlie's memory, honouring the life he should have had.
Twenty-one is a milestone Charlie never reached. He was just one of many young lives cut short by knife crime.
21 for 21 unites us in remembering them, bringing together fundraising, awareness and prevention to help ensure that fewer families ever have to experience the heartbreak of knife crime.
How to get involved
The Charity Run
Join us at Merrist Wood College, Guildford, on 24 and 25 October for the 21 for 21 Charity Run. Choose your distance, from a 2.1km family fun run to the full 21km challenge.
Schools & Youth Groups
Choose any 21 challenge that works for your pupils, staff or members. Active, creative, fundraising or awareness-focused, whatever fits your setting.
Individuals, Families & Community
Donate, fundraise in your own way, or design your own 21 for 21 challenge with friends, family or your community.
Share your posts with #21forcharlie and tag us @charliespromisecharity to help spread awareness!
Together, let's turn 21 into change.
What your fundraising goes towards
Every pound raised through 21 for 21 goes directly towards the work Charlie's Promise was set up to do: going into schools and youth settings to deliver talks and workshops on the dangers of knife crime, and equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and support to make safer, more positive choices.
It's how we keep Charlie's promise alive, and how we help make sure no other family has to make the one Martin made to him.
Ready to get involved?
Our vision is for supporters of all ages to take on a 21-themed challenge throughout October, sharing it on social media to amplify our message and reach as many people as possible
We believe we can make it something truly impactful and far-reaching. We warmly encourage schools, youth groups, sports clubs, families or anyone in the community to get involved and be part of something special. Supporters can take on any ‘21-themed’ challenge regardless of location or physical ability.
Register for the 21 for 21 Challenge
Please fill out the '21 for 21 Challenge Registration Form" to register your school, group or yourself to be part of the 21 for 21 challenge for this October.
By signing up, you are making your promise to Charlie and joining others across the UK taking a stand against knife crime. We can't wait to see what you do!