Bermondsey young people have created a memorial to Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, the young man who died after jumping into the Thames to save a woman in the water.
The Don’t Turn a Blind Eye memorial to Bermondsey man Jimi – made up of hundreds of hand-made pictures and photographs – will be unveiled on Sunday (May 1) from 3pm at the Salmon Youth Centre on Old Jamaica Road.
Jimi used to go to the youth centre, where he was particularly interested in football, a Salmon youth worker told the News. “He was very bubbly, very nice to speak to… he went away and came back after a while and you could see the maturity in him,” Derek said.
Archbishop of Southwark Christopher Chessum and Bishop of Woolwich Karowei Dorgu will give speeches. There will also be performances, spoken words, music, and food.
It is the first time the family and friends of Salmon have been able to gather to honour Jimi’s memor.
It is a free event open to everyone, and you don’t need to register in advance.
Salmon youth worker Eugene Ankomah said: “Jimi was such a wonderful soul who loved to try his hands in art. He was full of life and filled our art and music studio with positive energy. It’s a real pleasure and an honour to pay tribute to him with this memorial wall piece…
“What is being represented is the voice of young people asking them not to ‘Turn a Blind Eye’ on them through the language of art. We have been using Jimi’s legacy to remind young people they have a hero within themselves.”
Jimi, who was just 20, died April 21, 2021 after bravely jumping into the Thames to save a woman in trouble. He has been widely praised as a selfless hero for his actions.
Time: 3pm, May 1
Location: Salmon Youth Centre, 43 Old Jamaica Road, Bermondsey SE16 4TE