Local MP Alan Mak remembers Havant constituent's godson lost in 9/11 terrorist attacks

Local MP Alan Mak has remembered a constituent's godson while leading a House of Commons debate to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Havant MP Alan Mak with constituent Sally Taber, whose godson Oli Bennett died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago | Alan Mak MP

placeholder image — Havant MP Alan Mak with constituent Sally Taber, whose godson Oli Bennett died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago | Alan Mak MP

Sally Taber's godson, financial journalist Oli Bennett, was at the World Trade Center in New York to report on a conference when the Twin Towers were hit by two hijacked passenger planes.

Mr Mak said: "Sally, Oli's family and school friends were determined that his life would be remembered not for the terrible way it ended, but for the values he had lived.

"They established the Oli Bennett Charitable Trust in his memory, offering grants to aspiring entrepreneurs. Over nearly 25 years, the Trust has helped 169 young people to begin their dream of starting a business.

"The Trust is now drawing to a close, but its closure doesn't bring Oli's legacy to an end. It leaves behind scores of young people who were given an opportunity because his friends and family responded to an act of destruction by helping others create something new."

He added: "Sally's story reminds us that an atrocity committed thousands of miles away can leave an absence in a home and community here in Britain.

"It also reminds us why names, photographs, voices and personal memories matter."