Trust set up in memory of 22-year-old who died in ‘tragic accident’ raises £10K

A trust that was set up in memory of a 22-year-old who died in a tragic accident on holiday last year, has raised £10,000 to support young people across South London.

In its first year of operation, The Zohar Dean Trust has raised the money by hosting nine events including a yoga fundraiser and a half marathon.

The trust donates all money raised through grants to non-profit organisations that support young people.

So far, the organisations supported by The Zohar Dean Trust’s funding include Our Second Home, a youth organisation for refugees, Youth First, a charity running clubs and other services for young people in Lewisham, and In2Science, promoting social mobility within the STEM sector, as well as LJY-Netzer – a Liberal Judaism’s youth movement.

A fundraising event was held on Saturday to celebrate the milestone with a pub quiz, disco and raffle. Nearly £3,000 was raised at this event alone. 

Zohar Dean-Collins grew up in Deptford, attending the City of London Academy in Lynton Road, Southwark, before moving to JCoSS, a Jewish secondary school in Castlewood Road, Barnet, for his sixth form. 

Zohar attended the South London Liberal Synagogue and later joined LJY-Netzer –  a youth movement affiliated with Liberal Judaism – as a young teenager.

In 2019, Zohar started at Leeds University, undertaking an integrated Masters course in Physics.

But last year, after finishing his third-year exams he died in a “tragic accident” on holiday.

The Zohar Dean Trust is volunteer-led by friends and family of Zohar aged between 21 and 26. 

Rosa Slater, trustee of Zohar Dean Trust, said: “It’s hard to comprehend all we’ve managed to achieve this past year, which stemmed from a place of immense grief at the loss of Zohar, a youth leader, award-winning physicist, and a beloved son, brother and friend. 

“His name, which translates to ‘brightest spark’ is the perfect way to describe who he was. 

“This achievement is a testament to the love and support of so many people, channelling their care and grief into a way to remember the incredible person Zohar was and give him a lasting legacy.

“Everything we do is for him and championing all that he was unique for. We hope to continue cherishing Zohar’s memory through this Trust for many years to come.”

Pictured top: Zohar Dean-Collins (Picture: The Zohar Dean Trust)