A MOSAIC garden has been created at Alvechurch Middle School in memory of brave 11-year-old Finlay Church who lost his battle to overcome a brain tumour last November.
Despite his struggles, he and his family led a fundraising drive for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and for the Brain Tumour Research charity – collecting more than £100,000.
And fundraisers have continued the campaign in his memory with the total now standing at £140,000
Finlay gained national fame when he broke the longest line of teddy bears Guinness World Record, notching up 15,534 in a row.
His family also undertook another attempt on what would have been his 12th birthday – the longest line of hats – which reached 5,471 and again became a world record.
Fin also won the Child of Courage accolade at the Pride of Birmingham Awards last year.
Local artist Jackie Nash had been so inspired by his achievements and saddened by his story that she wanted to pay her own tribute.
“This tribute grew into a large memorial garden which I designed using the children’s drawings,” she said.
“We want to pay tribute to Finlay as well as continuing to raise awareness of Brain Tumour Research.”
She funded the garden and enlisted the help of her husband, Elliott, a builder while local firms EH Smiths, Webbs and Tilemaster Adhesives donated goods.
Some of the local children who knew Finlay then designed 22 stepping stones which now line a long pathway leading to the main garden.
Jackie then worked with Fin’s family to design the central mosaic which went in the middle of gravelled angel wings the children designed.
The middle of the central mosaic is bright orange – Finlay’s favourite colour.
The garden will be unveiled today (Friday) at a private ceremony at the school.
Fin’s mum Penny Church said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to Jackie for all her hard work and giving up all the time it took – it ended up being on a much bigger scale than we thought it would be. It’s absolutely amazing.
“It is a stunning tribute to him and is a very peaceful place where we, the teachers, the children and others can go when we want to remember him.”
Visit http://bit.ly/2gBYDoL and http://bit.ly/2fUJaSy for more on fundraising in memory of Fin.
