Bolton: Believe Achieve opens in memory of Kingsley Olasupo

Parents of baby Kingsley Olasupo - Tunde Olasupo and Nicola Daley - set up The Believe Achieve Centre, in Market Street, Farnworth, to help give something back to the community, and make sure there is something for young people.

Tunde and Nicola want to also use their platform to help people and “make sure that it never happens to other people”.

Tunde said: “It’s to give young people the community and life they never had, and to give back to the community.

“There is nothing for young people in Farnworth.

Tunde and Nicola with their daughter Princess (Image: Newsquest)

“We also didn’t have a lot of information about what happened to Kingsley.

“But if you have more details about how things work in the community you may be able to prevent this.”

The parents have been devastated by the loss but put their pain into something positive as young people enjoyed plenty of fairground rides.

Tunde added: “I would trade anything to bring him back and I wish he was here to see what’s happening.

“But seeing the look on every child’s face is what it’s about and bringing the community back to life.

“And there will be a lot more of that to come.”

There were lots of performances from the centre’s dance students and workshops from instructors specialising in dance, sport, mental health and well-being.

A range of hot food was also on offer, including some homemade doughnuts, as well as a food bank service, concluded with a firework display.

Stacey Daley, Nicola's sister and Kinsley's aunty (Image: Newsquest)

Mum Nicola said this was an “emotional” time, but "we have to look at the positive".

“Even though Kingsley is not here we can do this for him.

“It’s nice to know that everyone turned out for him.”

Nicola’s sister, Stacey Daley, added: “It’s a big thing for me because not only are we helping the children of Farnworth, but it is to raise awareness around who Kingsley was.”

The ceremony was also marked by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Bolton Mayor Akhtar Zaman, who both unveiled a memorial plaque for Kingsley, as well as cutting the ribbon.

The Believe Achieve centre has already become a lifeline for local children and as well as providing dance, sport and computing classes, also supplies before school breakfasts and a food bank to support low-income families.

Nearly 700 young people attend the centre each week and we provide nearly 300 free meals.

There was a wide range of entertainment set up for young people (Image: Newsquest)

Tunde added: “When we started to set up the centre a couple of years ago our focus was on providing local children with the life Kingsley will never have.

“It was about creating a legacy for him by changing the lives of children who are struggling with issues such as poverty, low self-esteem or mental health problems.

“It’s a relaxed environment where they can achieve something positive and access the support they need.

Knowing only too well the impact of Kingsley’s death on his three siblings, Tunde and Nicola have also established a counselling service at the centre for children who have been bereaved.

There is also a qualified nurse on site on a weekly basis so that families can have their babies checked, ask questions about their health and have any issues explained to them – areas that were lacking for Nicola and Tunde when Kingsley was ill in hospital.

Proceeds from each of the stalls will go into the centre.

Some of the merchandise available included hats and hoodies with Kingsley’s name on.

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If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.