A heartfelt tribute has been created at St Mary’s School in Radstock to honor Elias, a beloved five-year-old pupil who passed away from a brain tumour. Elias, who attended the school from 2022 until his death in 2025, is fondly remembered for his kindness and infectious joy that brightened the lives of everyone around him.
With the support of Elias’s parents, Jake and Abbie, St Mary’s has officially opened a Memory Garden dedicated to his memory. The school initiated fundraising efforts last year and successfully raised £10,000 with generous contributions from the local community. Fundraising events included participating in Radstock & Westfield Big Local’s ‘Dragons’ Den’, donations from charities, and a penalty shoot-out featuring Bristol Rovers player Scott Sinclair.
Headteacher Cathie Lampert reflected on Elias’s impact: “Elias was a much-loved member of our school family who brought kindness, laughter, and joy during his time with us. Elias’s Memory Garden has been created so his memory can continue to live within our school – a peaceful place where children can sit, talk with friends, read, and enjoy being outdoors. It also reflects the kindness of our community and will always stand as a place of friendship, peace, and joy for the children of our school.”
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The garden, which officially opened at the end of the last term, offers Elias’s classmates a special space to play, relax, and reflect since the start of the new term. Features include seating areas, winding pathways, vegetable and herb plots, a musical corner, and quiet nooks designed for reading and spending time outdoors. At the heart of the garden stands a memorial tree where pupils can leave messages to remember Elias.
St Mary’s School belongs to The Partnership Trust, a network of 17 local schools. CEO Emma Massey praised the garden, stating, “The opening of the Memory Garden in honour of Elias is a tribute to how special he was and the impact he had on pupils, staff, and the wider school community. It also reflects the dedication of this close-knit school community, its supporters, and Elias’s parents in creating a lasting place to remember him.”