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.
He was a son, a brother, a friend, which is exactly why his story could be anyone's.
21 for 21
21 Promises for Charlie
Help us turn 21 into change
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.
Twenty-one is a milestone Charlie never reached. He was just one of many young lives cut short by knife crime. This October, we're asking individuals, families and communities across the UK to help us turn that milestone into change.
Since Charlie's Promise began, we've reached more than 110,000 young people through schools, colleges and youth organisations across the country, educating, inspiring and supporting them to make safer, more positive choices.
Every pound and every challenge helps us reach even more.
How you can get involved
Get involved in whatever way suits you, your family, or the people around you.
Donate directly to support our work, fundraise in your own way with your own JustGiving page, design your own 21 for 21 challenge with friends, family, your workplace or your neighbourhood, or join us at the run at Merrist Wood College on 24–25 October.
Every promise matters.
21 things you could do:
Active challenges
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Walk or run 21km collectively
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Complete 21 laps of a local park, track, or field
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Take on 21 press-ups, sit-ups or star jumps each day
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Reach 21,000 steps as a group or team
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Hold a 2.1km fun run
Creative ideas
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Create a wall of 21 promises
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Write 21 poems, stories or reflections
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Produce a campaign video with a 21 theme
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Create a display about making
positive choice
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Organise a 21-song danceathon
Fundraising ideas
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Casual dress day linked to the campaign
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Wash 21 cars
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Hold a bake sale featuring 21 treats
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Raise £21 per team or household
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Challenge family and friends to complete a "21" challenge of their choosing
Awareness activities
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Wear blue for 21 days
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Hold a 21-minute sponsored silence
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Create 21 knife crime awareness posters
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Share 21 positive messages around
the community
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Complete 21 acts of kindness
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Invite a friend to make their own Promise
The possibilities are endless, create your own "21 for 21" challenge and inspire others to get involved.
Register your interest
The campaign is designed to be flexible, inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities. Every contribution helps us continue educating young people and raising awareness of the immeasurable impact of knife crime.
Register your interest, letting us know your school or group and roughly what you're planning, and we'll be in touch with further details and resources to help you with your challenge
Share your posts with #21forcharlie and tag us @charliespromisecharity to help spread awareness!
Together, let's turn 21 into change!
21km for 21 charity run
Join us at Merrist Wood College on 24–25 October for a special community walk/run in memory of Charlie, celebrating what would have been his 21st birthday. Take on the challenge of completing 21km or choose one of our shorter routes.