Only Cowards Carry

Only Cowards Carry Weapons Awareness was founded in November 2012 by Caroline Shearer in memory of her 17 year old son Jay Whiston, who was fatally stabbed in September 2012. Continually driven by the devastating loss of Jay, Caroline and her team has worked tirelessly to promote Only Cowards Carry Weapons Awareness in the hope that young people understand the stark facts and devastating, life changing, true reality of knife crime. Caroline began to investigate education given to children at school, and discovered that although children were being taught internet safety, road safety and even sex education from as young as 7 years old, there was no provision for weapons awareness education.

Only Cowards Carry Weapons Awareness was given full Charity status and within the first 2 years over 22,000 students, parents and teachers have requested OCC’s unique and engaging Weapons Awareness training programmes. The Charity continues to grow and now works in partnership with Essex Police, MPs and other crime prevention organisations.

OCC delivers powerful messages that also helps to reduce alcohol and drug misuse, gang culture, parent and teacher awareness.

The Only Cowards Carry team are forever grateful for the support they receive in helping to keep our communities safe.