Community unites to mark murdered teen Tomasz Oleszak's birthday
by Sophie Doughty · ChronicleLiveA community has united to mark what should have been stabbed teenager Tomasz Oleszak's birthday.
The talented footballer died at the age of just 14 after he was knifed in the chest by teenager Leighton Amies, close to his home in Gateshead's Springwell estate. The tragedy, in October 2022, sent shockwaves through the community and left Tomasz's loving family heartbroken.
Saturday, which would have been Tomasz's 17th birthday, was marked with an event in Gateshead to raise money for a memorial 3G pitch at the football club where Tomasz played. There were fun football tournaments, bouncy castles and fireworks at the day of celebrations, which was attended by Tomasz's parents Kamila and Patryk
Organiser Lilian Howson said: "The day was amazing. To bring the entire community, his friends and family together to celebrate Tomasz Happy Heavenly 17th Birthday was amazing. Football matches both older and younger were full of laugher which he would of loved. Kamila and Patryk handed out the medals which was a lovely touch."
"My highlight of the day was the fireworks display lighting up the sky just as bright as he was."
Amies was also just 14 when he stabbed Tomasz to death. Newcastle Crown Court heard he had left his home armed with a knife and got into a confrontation with the group Tomasz was in at Whitehills Nature Reserve, which borders the estate. During the row, he stabbed unarmed Tomasz. The knife completely severed the cartilage of the 14-year-old’s rib and went into his aorta. He later died in hospital.
Low Fell-based Cleveland Hall FC, who Tomasz played for, is planning to create a new 4g football pitch named the Tomasz Oleszak Memorial pitch, in his memory. All proceeds from Saturday's event will go towards the pitch, and it is hoped Tomasz' younger brother Kuba can one day play on it.
Lilian added: "I'm just thankful the day was a success. Once all remainder auctions items are sold we will be able confirm a final total raised with proceeds going to Cleveland Hall toward the cost of the new 3g pitch being named after him 'Tomasz Oleszak Memorial', cementing his name in Cleveland Hall's history."
Amies, of Stuart Terrace in Felling, Gateshead, denied murder, claiming he was acting in self-defence. But a jury found him guilty of murdering Tomasz and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent on another boy. He was jailed for life with a minimum of 12 years.
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