Pupils at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School and Nursery in Writhlington, Radstock have raised an astounding £13,000 for a very special project in memory of their classmate, Elias.
Within just two months, the school community has over-reached its original goal of £8,000 to fund a quiet space to remember Elias who sadly passed away from a brain tumour in March, aged five.
With the support of Elias’ parents, Jake and Abbie, the school has been fundraising to build a Memory Garden within the school grounds, providing a peaceful area for reflection, remembrance and healing.
Amongst the fundraising ventures was a Penalty Shoot-Out with special guest Bristol Rovers’ player Scott Sinclair. St Mary’s schoolchildren from nursery to Year 6 tried their luck against Scott who stood in goal.
Seb in Year 6, who had been ‘buddied’ with Elias, an initiative at the school which partners younger and older children, said, “I felt victorious and triumphant” when he scored a goal against Scott.
“Raising money for the Memory Garden will make his [Elias’] passing a lot easier for the people close to him.”
Other ways of raising money for the project came from a local Tough Mudder event; a donation from Frome-based charity, Lisa’s Army UK which supports friends and families affected by cancer; Radstock & Westfield Big Local ‘Dragons’ Den’; and Midsomer Norton based The Sperring Charity
Cathie Lampert, Headteacher at St Mary’s, said, “I am overwhelmed at the amount we have raised. We have beaten our target by £5,000. St Mary’s is a strong community evidenced by the pulling together of all at this time for a common goal.”
St Mary’s is one of 17 schools that are supported by The Partnership Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust based in Radstock.
Emily Massey, CEO of the Trust, added, “Congratulations to everyone at St Mary’s who have not only reached, but exceeded, their fundraising goal. It is testimony to this tight-knit school and local supporters that the garden will now be created in memory of Elias.”
