A memorial bench at an Edinburgh school for a tragic youngster who sadly died earlier this year is to be installed before his little sister starts primary one.
Rudi Abbott passed away at the age of eight following a three-year diagnosis with a rare grade four pineoblastoma.
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First discovered to be suffering from the brain tumour in August 2020, Rudi had undergone a series of treatments and therapies, with the family travelling to Seattle for an experimental trial last year.
But the schoolboy's health sadly declined and the family returned to Edinburgh so they could spend his last moments at home.
In a heartbreaking update on January 6, his family announced that the youngster had passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones.
Following the devastating loss, a fundraiser was set up to create a space for Rudi to be remembered at Towerbank Primary School.
A circular rainbow bench with a cherry tree in the middle will be fitted during the summer holidays, in time for Rudi’s five-year-old sister Iris’ first day.
Dad Ben spoke about possibly changing Iris' school as it would be upsetting without him there but after talks with the headteacher, he decided the colourful bench would be a better idea so she can have a special place to remember her older brother.
The fundraising page reads: "After extensive consultations with Rudi’s lovely head teacher, Mr Friend, at TowerBank Primary school we have arrived at what we feel is a fitting memorial for Rudi’s time there - Rudi’s Rainbow friendship bench and tree!
"The project will install a metal bench painted in rainbow colours around the trunk of a Tibetan Cherry tree. This will offer the children a space to sit and chat, and be a permanent reminder of Rudi’s friendships within the school.
It continues: "The plan is to install the bench over the summer holidays with the tree planting favoured for autumn.
"This schedule means that Rudi’s little sister, Iris, will be starting her P1 school journey with this beautiful memorial to her brother in the playground.
"Rudi’s classmates from P5 will actually be the new P1’s ‘buddies’ for their first year - so the timing is all quite emotional.
"This project needs £6000.00 to complete and we appreciate every penny donated."
You can find out more and donate to the fundraiser here.
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