A heartfelt tribute has been created at St Mary’s School in Radstock to honour Elias, a beloved five-year-old pupil who passed away from a brain tumour. Remembered for his warmth and joyful spirit, Elias attended the school from 2022 until 2025 and left a lasting impact on the community.
With the support of Elias’s parents, Jake and Abbie, St Mary’s opened a Memory Garden dedicated to his memory. Fundraising efforts began last year, with the school and local community raising £10,000 to bring the garden to life. Activities to raise funds included participating in Radstock & Westfield Big Local’s ‘Dragons’ Den’, donations from local charities, and a charity penalty shoot-out featuring Bristol Rovers player Scott Sinclair.
Headteacher Cathie Lampert shared, “Elias was a much-loved member of our school family who brought kindness, laughter and joy during his time with us. The Memory Garden has been created so his memory can continue to live within our school – providing a peaceful environment where children can sit, talk with friends, read, and enjoy the outdoors. It also reflects the kindness of our community and stands as a place of friendship, peace, and joy for all our pupils.”
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Officially opened at the end of last term, the garden has since become a cherished space where Elias’s classmates can play, relax, and reflect. The garden features comfortable seating, winding pathways, vegetable and herb plots, a musical area, and quiet corners for reading or spending time outside. At its heart is a memory tree where pupils can leave messages and keep Elias’s memory alive.
St Mary’s School, part of The Partnership Trust—a network of 17 local schools—expressed deep appreciation for the collective effort. CEO Emma Massey remarked, “The opening of the Memory Garden in honour of Elias is a moving tribute to how special he was and the profound impact he had on pupils, staff, and the wider community. It also highlights the dedication of this close-knit school community, its supporters, and Elias’s parents in creating a lasting place to remember him.”