9:21am Tuesday 20th May 2003
By Joseph O Shea
Six months after James Haddad died from a rare brain tumour, his school St Mary's Junior School, is preparing to open a prayer garden in his name.
The James Haddad Prayer Garden will be opened at the back of St Mary's School by Croydon mayor, councillor Stuart Collins on Friday, May 16, after school parents and staff, together with staff from Barclays Insurance dedicated their weekends to renovating the land.
A year five pupil at St Mary's, James Haddad, nine, died on Saturday, October 26 last year, following a 10-month fight against a rare and debilitating brain tumour, which touched all our hearts.
In the six months since he died, the garden has been transformed from an overgrown and disused plot into a planted educational garden with a pond, paved terrace bearing the initials JH, with seating, statues and two nature areas.
After being rejected by the BBC's Groundforce programme, St Mary's parents have donated time money and materials to compliment a £1,000 donation from Barclays Insurance to furnish the garden.
Head teacher Anne Pendry said: "We wanted to dedicate an area of the school which could be used for remembering James. The garden was very overgrown but everyone has put a lot of work in over the last six months and now it will provide a quiet area for the children and a very valuable educational tool."
James' mother, Sue Haddad, said: "We are so touched that the school is remembering James in this way. Thanks to everyone's hard work, the garden now looks beautiful and is a wonderful tribute to James."
A memorial service will take place in the garden at 2.30pm before the opening at 3pm. All are welcome.
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