A Sheppey teen says music helped him turn his life around following the tragic death of his younger brother.

Owen Leach and his friend Charlie Fulljames, 22, recorded a rap song and music video called ‘Hopes and Dreams’ with the help of a youth charity.

The 15-year-old first started making music as a way to cope with the death of his sibling.

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Cody Leach was aged just three when he was run over by a man reversing his car in Sea View Gardens, Warden Bay, in April 2008.

Owen, who was eight at the time, and his other brother, Mason, then five, both saw it happen.

In the years that followed the tragic accident, Owen struggled to cope with his loss and spiralled into a cycle of bad behaviour that led to him attending seven different schools and youth behaviour units by the time he was 15.

But after being given the opportunity to work with a music producer at one of the units he attends, Owen’s life has been transformed for the better.

He said: “When I started making music I decided I wanted to turn things around. I couldn’t settle down at school. I kept getting into fights and doing stupid things which I regret now.

“I discovered I could express my emotions and get my feelings out through rapping rather than through anger.”

In the video, which has been viewed more than 17,000 times on Facebook, Owen raps about staying strong through trying times while his friend Charlie provides additional vocals.

It was made with the help of charity Fixers, which works with young people aged 16-25 by providing them with resources to campaign about issues they feel strongly about.

He hopes the song will be shown to as many youngsters as possible, and inspire them to keep going in the face of adverse conditions.

He added: “Music has helped me deal with what happened.

“Whenever I rap about my little brother it helps me to focus on all the good things about him.

“I want other young people to follow their dreams too, and hopefully our music video will encourage them to do that.”

Find out more about Fixers.