It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of one of our own, David Strang, founder of Wicked Vision, who left us unexpectedly on Monday, April 21, 2025.
David, or "Strangy" as he was affectionately known, was truly one of a kind. Anyone who had the good fortune to meet him would never forget the encounter. Strangy was a bundle of energy and fun, almost always the one holding the camera to capture the moment — or better yet, leaping into the air in his signature pose, a snapshot that perfectly captured his vibrant spirit.
David's impact extended far beyond his infectious personality. He built Wicked Vision into a global brand known for products centred on active play: boomerangs, discs, high bounce balls, and yo-yos. Even after Wicked's brands and intellectual property were acquired by Eolo Toys in 2024, David worked closely with the team, ensuring Wicked's creativity and spirit were seamlessly woven into its new chapter.
Friend and business partner, Alex Prieto of Eolo Toys, beautifully captured David's essence: "David wasn’t just a brand founder we recently welcomed into the Eolo Toys family. He was energy. He was fun. He was full of crazy ideas, big dreams, and a heart that made you want to do more, be better, and enjoy every second of the ride."
The outpouring of love and sympathy has been overwhelming. Richard North, a longtime friend, shared: "Over 25 years ago, Dave came to me as an ambitious young man keen to help my eCommerce business, and he put it on the map. He got our stuff across all the mainstream media and built one of our brands into an absolute blockbuster. He was genuine, always down to earth, a real class act."
Jane Gomez, a close friend from Helm, wrote:"David would make any occasion more fun — that was guaranteed. His huge personality meant there was never a dull moment! His wild, hilarious stories brought every gathering to life. This loss has been one of the hardest things to comprehend. David was the biggest character, with the biggest heart and the greatest love of life. I'm devastated and will miss him terribly."
Syd Nadim, another dear friend, added: "Even his business typified the joy he brought to the world and the people around him. Without hyperbole, he was one of a kind and the world is worse without him in it."
David left an impression on everyone he met. His infectious energy, wild creativity, and genuine kindness touched countless lives — from colleagues and clients in the toy industry to friends and fellow adventurers around the world.
In the words of Alex Prieto: "This photo is exactly how we will remember David: flying high, chasing the sky with a boomerang in hand and a huge smile on his face. It’s hard to believe this time…that boomerang won’t come back. Rest easy, brother. We’ve got this."
Helm members and friends will gather in David’s memory in London on May 8th.
David Strang's spirit, his laughter, his energy, and his love of life will forever remain in our hearts. At Helm, we lost one of our own.
Rest in peace, dear Strangy.
Some photos of David
