The household of Gboyega Odubanjo – a poet who died at Shambala Competition – have raised £59,000 in an effort to start out a basis in his honour.
Odubanjo was reported lacking final week when he failed to show as much as his efficiency on the Northamptonshire competition. After an intensive search by native police and varied rescue groups it was confirmed by authorities {that a} physique had been discovered within the early hours of Thursday morning (August 31).
On the time a proper identification had but to happen, nevertheless, Odubanjo’s household had been knowledgeable of the replace. Police additionally confirmed that there have been no suspicious circumstances surrounding the dying.
Now, Odubanjo’s relations have launched a fundraising marketing campaign in his reminiscence and have since raised greater than £50,000 to start out a non-profit organisation.
The fundraising web page, arrange by Rose Odubanjo, seems to proceed the poet’s legacy and supply help for low-income Black writers. It presently stands at £59,000 raised.
“We, the shut associates and family members of Gboyega, specific our profound unhappiness and grief on the lack of certainly one of our brightest and most gifted stars,” Rose stated in a press release (by way of The Guardian) “Gboyega was the supply of unbelievable pleasure and laughter for all of us, and we’re completely heartbroken to listen to that his life has been so immediately lower quick.”
Odubanjo was an editor at Bathtub Magg (“{a magazine} of recent poetry”) and was additionally a Roundhouse Resident Artist. The poet was a recipient of the 2021 Eric Gregory Award for his New Poets Prize Pamphlet Aunty Uncle Poems.
Certainly one of his pamphlets titled Whereas I But Dwell, was revealed by Dangerous Betty Press in 2019. His 2021 poem Oil Music was additionally featured as poem of the month in The Guardian. He was learning for a PhD in artistic writing on the College of Hertfordshire.
Per the outlet, Odubanjo was additionally engaged on an upcoming assortment referred to as Adam, which explores the inequality round searching for lacking Black individuals within the UK. It was impressed by the unsolved homicide of “Adam”, an unidentified boy whose physique was discovered within the River Thames in 2001.
The fundraising web page additionally shared a press release that learn: “Gboyega at all times wished to uplift and help his neighborhood, via mentoring younger individuals, via gently praising somebody at a poetry evening about their star high quality and thru educating in quite a few locations. His poetry and writing has been a beacon of sunshine to many.”
It continued: “He can be remembered as an excellent poet, inspiring good friend, son and brother. He was extremely gifted; somebody we’ll stay in awe of.”
Go to right here to seek out out extra in regards to the fundraiser and share donations with Odubanjo’s household.
