Osbournby Primary School in Lincolnshire has just unveiled a touching memorial garden precisely crafted to honour a young pupil, James, who sadly lost an austere battle against cancer. At just two years old, James was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Despite undertaking countless operations and treatments, he sadly passed away in February 2022 when he was eight years old. His twin brother Joshua, aged 11, has inaugurated the garden that celebrated his brother’s life.
The school grounds near Sleaford are now embellished with a meticulously designed garden, created by the collective efforts of the close-knit local community. To reflect James’ love for Alice in Wonderland’s Cheshire Cat, multiple references are tastefully incorporated throughout the garden. With inclusivity at its core, the garden ensures easy wheelchair access and is pleasingly decorated with purple and pink themes and statues of the famous character.
Joshua presided over the opening ceremony and symbolically cut a ribbon adorned with Cheshire Cats. He emoted that his brother would have absolutely cherished this garden. Expressing deep appreciation, Joshua said, ‘I feel very thankful and grateful for everyone who’s helped make this dream a reality.’
The manifestation of this beautiful concept received an overpowering endorsement from the community and local businesses alike, all of whom contributed generously, both in terms of adequate funding and indispensable volunteering efforts. The twins’ father, Carl, blessed this collective endeavour with his heartfelt acknowledgement. In his words, ‘Knowing that other children can enjoy it in James’s memory will mean the world to us forever.’
Heather Bide, the headteacher, commended the prodigious community spirit. She said, ‘We have been completely overwhelmed by the local community and local businesses, who’ve come together in a way we couldn’t have imagined. The result is beyond our wildest dreams. Losing a pupil at your school is a deeply challenging journey. We just felt we wanted to do something that would serve as a lasting memory where James will always be part of our school.’
Source: This story was adapted from original reporting by BBC News.
