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Led by the family of Scott Akester, who died aged 31 after a single punch from a friend on a night out, ‘One Punch Hull’ was set up to honour Scott’s memory by raising awareness of the risks of one punch attacks and the wider impact that split-second acts of violence can have on families, friends and communities.

Channelling their grief into positive actions, Scott’s parents Debbie and Steve Akester, along with his partner Naomi and six-year-old daughter Ella, aim to educate young people on the risks of violence with the message to ‘stop, think and walk away from an argument or a fight.’

Reflecting on the importance of sharing the family’s story, Debbie said: “It’s so important that young people hear our story because many don’t realise how dangerous one punch can be or understand the impact that single acts of violence can have. I think there’s a lot of peer pressure in schools and I hope that if children get the opportunity to listen to our talk and understand what’s happened to us as a family, and the risks associated with punching out, then hopefully it will change behaviours in the future - particularly as they go into adult life. If they can think back and remember our story, that could hopefully make a difference.”

Having previously shared Scott’s story with the year 7 cohort in April 2024, Debbie recently returned to the school to speak to its four remaining year groups.      

Matt Burnitt, Assistant Headteacher, said: “Debbie has experienced first-hand the profound impact of losing her son to senseless violence and it was a privilege to welcome her back to the school where she shared her personal story with approximately 600 students over two visits.

“We believe that hearing from those directly affected by such tragedies can have a deep effect on young people, fostering empathy, understanding and a commitment to non-violence by offering a poignant reminder of the real-life consequences of violent behaviour.

“The work of One Punch Hull aligns with our ongoing efforts to educate our students about the importance of respect, empathy and peaceful conflict resolution across society. By reinforcing the message that violence is never an acceptable solution to conflict, we can work together to cultivate a culture of mutual respect and understanding.”

Reflecting on the impact of hearing Scott’s story, year 9 student Millie C said: “I felt sad about the fact that one night could change so many people’s lives - from Scott’s parents, to his partner and daughter. I think Debbie’s message is a really important one to hear so that nobody else makes the same mistakes and they talk about things rather than resort to violence. I think hearing from Debbie herself was important because we could feel a more emotional connection.”

Year 10 student Daniel L added: “I think it is a very important message to hear as it teaches us about the power of the consequences of our actions. I feel it is important for people to know about things like One Punch and for it to be talked about more so that people know that these things can actually happen to us and we should be careful.”

Honey T, a student in year 11, said: “I felt an array of emotions and felt sad as Debbie explained how the family had been affected. It was a massive eye-opener to the decisions you should make and the consequences of making the wrong ones.”

The family’s story began when Scott died from a one punch attack in 2022. The devastation caused by a friend, punching him hard when he wasn’t expecting it, caused Scott to fall and hit his head on the pavement – causing injuries too severe to survive. 

Since the launch of One Punch Hull, Scott’s family remain determined to prevent anyone else from experiencing what they’ve been through. A continuing programme of engagement events is set to expand in the months ahead, with colleges, apprenticeship providers and workplaces all making contact with the charity to facilitate talks at their organisations.

In recent months, Scott’s story has also provided the inspiration for a production by the award-winning John Godber Company. Working in partnership with the Akester family, BAFTA winning writer and company co-director, Jane Thornton, along with actress and writer, Martha Godber, have delivered what is billed as ‘a rallying cry to take control of your emotions, especially in the heat of the moment’.  

Meanwhile, as part of the preparation work for the stage production, the Godber family were keen to know more about Scott’s early life. This prompted Debbie to write a history of Scott, which she has now combined with an existing journal, to create ‘Scott’s Story’ – a book which will be released through Amazon at the end of March.  

Debbie said: “The book covers all aspects of Scott’s story, from his younger years through to his death and the subsequent court proceedings. It also covers the formation of the charity and the work we’re doing to keep Scott’s memory alive. I’m really hoping that this might help other families who have been through a similar experience.”

For further information about One Punch Hull, please visit their website: www.onepunchhull.com or find them on Facebook, search: ‘One Punch Hull’. 

ABOVE: Scott Akester, who died aged 31 as a result of a split-second act of aggression from a friend during a night out. [Photo Credit: One Punch Hull]

ABOVE: Debbie Akester, Scott’s mother, returned to Withernsea High School to share with students her family’s first-hand experience of the devastation caused by one punch violence. 

ABOVE: Scott’s story has been turned into a stage production by the John Godber Company. Funny, gritty, emotional and shocking, ‘One Punch’ recounts a night out based on real events. [Photo Credit: Ian Hodgson]