A family is hoping to build a school garden in memory of their seven-year-old son who died from a brain tumour to remember his ‘happy caring nature and sunny smile’.
Karen and Damyon Garrity need to raise around £50,000 to build the garden at Tithe Barn School in Heaton Moor, Stockport, to honour son Lucas, who died in 2013.
The family hope the garden will be used by generations of children as well as acting as a memorial to Lucas, and want the public to back them with votes in a Tesco Bags of Help Scheme that has up to £12,000 up for grabs.
The scheme with the most votes at five Tesco stores in Cheshire until Sunday, March 6, will receive £12,000, followed by £10,000 and then £8,000.
They are also looking for companies to sponsor the garden being built in conjunction with the school.
Lucas was a keen tennis player and played at the West Heaton Tennis Club.
Mum Karen said: “Lucas is sorely missed by all who knew him, and we had been looking for an appropriate way to remember his love of life, happy caring nature and his sunny smile.
“Our vision is to develop a child friendly community garden with outdoor learning, which is fun and educational in an interesting environment.
“It will feature a rainbow path made up of coloured glow-in-the-dark discs which will illuminate the edge of the path like stars in the night.
“With additional lighting making the garden available for use in the evenings, designed in collaboration with Dreamscape Gardens, this is a way of remembering Lucas and creating a lasting legacy for others to enjoy.
“Tithe Barn aims to develop this space into a special pupil and community garden which the children can use during and after school for outdoor learning and play activities.
“The garden will then be used for the benefit of the community providing outdoor activities as well as other family events.”
The garden will be built in two phases with more fundraising planned for the summer with all money raised going to Tithe Barn School.
Bags of Help will see money raised by customers through the 5p bag charge go directly back into the local community.
The family has so far raised £28,000 for the Brainstrust in Lucas’ memory and Damyon is again running the Manchester 10km in May.
Damyon and Karen have two other children, Zac, seven, and Scarlet, three.
How you can help
Vote for Lucas‘ Garden at the following Tesco stores before March 6:
- Tesco Extra Handforth Dean
- Tesco Express, Alderley Road Wilmslow
- Tesco Express, Dean Row Road, Wilmslow
- Tesco Express, Wilmslow Road, Handforth
- Tesco Express, Alderley Edge
If you would like to sponsor part of the garden or make a donation towards an area please email sunshine@damyon.com or call 0161 44 33 222.
