A SCHOOL in Writhlington raised £13,000 to build a memory garden in honour of a five year old pupil who passed away.

St Mary’s Church of England Primary School raised the money to fund a quiet place where they could remember Elias, who died from a brain tumour back in March.

The money was raised within just two months, exceeding their original goal of £8,000.

With the support of Elias’ parents, Jake and Abbie, a memory garden will be funded within the school grounds, a peaceful area for reflection, remembrance, and healing.

Among the fundraising ventures was a penalty shoot-out with former Bristol Rovers player Scott Sinclair. St Mary’s schoolchildren from nursery to Year 6 tried their luck against Sinclair in goal.

Seb in Year 6 said: “I felt victorious and triumphant” when he scored a goal against Sinclair.

Seb had been ‘buddied’ with Elias, an initiative at the school which partners younger and older children.

He said: “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 included local Tough Mudder event, as well as donation from a range of organisations, such as The Sperring Charity, Lisa's Army UK, Radstock & Westfield Big Local and ‘Dragons' Den’.

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.”

Emily Massey, CEO of the Trust, said: “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.”