Work is set to start on a new boat-themed play area at a primary school that will honour the memory of a much-loved five-year-old boy.
It comes after an online appeal was launched for a memorial to remember Harry Elmy, who died suddenly on May 23, 2022.
Harry's parents Jamie Elmy and Clare Turrell teamed up with his former school - Gunton Primary Academy in Lowestoft - to raise funds for a fitting tribute to Harry, who was "very fond of spending time watching his dad on his powerboat."
With a series of fundraisers held, the support of family, friends, businesses and the community in rallying round the mammoth fundraising drive has been hailed after the original £15,000 target was smashed.
Pupils at the primary school on Gainsborough Drive, Lowestoft are now excitedly waiting for work to start on the new play area, after a donation from Persimmon Homes topped off the fundraising.
Paying tribute at the time, family, friends and officials at the Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club (LOBMBC) said Harry "was an adoring little lad" who "was sadly taken far too soon".
Described as "one of" LOBMBC's youngest members - as the son of Hydroplane driver Mr Elmy - the club flag was flown at half mast during a poignant club meeting on Oulton Broad in 2022.
The school launched an online Crowdfunder appeal - entitled Harry's Memorial Fundraiser - in May last year, with more than £3,000 raised.
They also applied for a Community Champions grant from Persimmon Homes Anglia, with £1,000 presented to the school last week by Charlotte Cunningham, senior field sales manager, and Matthew Wright, senior technical co-ordinator, of Persimmon Homes Anglia
Such has been the swell of support from the community it has meant that with the original goal of raising £15,000 being achieved, a larger piece of equipment can now be created in the school grounds - for pupils of all ages - to remember Harry, who was a pupil in reception class at Gunton Primary Academy.
Work will now start on the new play structure during the Easter holidays, and it will be officially unveiled in May to mark the second anniversary of Harry’s death.
'Very fitting memorial'
The school's executive headteacher, Matthew Jordan, said: "We are delighted with the support we have had from the whole community, including local businesses like Persimmon Homes, and the Parents, Staff and Friends Association who donated £5,000.
"These generous donations will enable us to create a very fitting memorial to Harry, who loved boats, and one that is of great benefit to all of the pupils here."
Charlotte Cunningham, of Persimmon Homes Anglia, added: “It has been an honour to be able to support the school in creating a tribute to one of their pupils and to see how the whole community has rallied to bring this vision to fruition for the benefit of the current and future pupils of Gunton Primary Academy."
George King and Graham Parker, East Suffolk councillors for Gunton and St Margarets, joined the presentation last week and said: "It is a wonderful idea to create this for Harry, and for all of the children at the school."
Andy Pearce, Lowestoft Town councillor and Gunton Residents’ Association member, added: "The residents’ association love the concept of a memorial that members of the school, current and future, can benefit from."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here