A special memorial garden is to be created in the grounds of a Northumberland primary school in tribute a much-loved pupil who died suddenly, aged eight.
Lyla Ives was rushed to hospital after experiencing a suspected medical episode on January 6, but she tragically died suddenly leaving her family and loved ones devastated. The "bright, amazing and funny" young girl was a Year 4 pupil at Cramlington Village Primary School (CVPS) and was loved by pupils across all year groups at the school.
Tributes following her tragic death described Lyla as a "one of a kind" youngster who loved playing with her friends and making TikTok videos. They added that she has left a "void that will never be filled and broke the hearts of us all".
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In a tribute in the days after her passing, CVPS said they were "devastated to lose one of our own", adding that Lyla "always liked to do the right thing and she has left an indelible print on our hearts." Now the school has won funding from Dobbies' garden centre to create a memorial garden in her memory.
The school will receive around £2,000 worth of items, plus guidance, support and advice from the Dobbies' team to create the garden after winning Dobbies' Helping Your Community Grow project. Schools could either enter themselves or be nominated for a chance to win the funding.
Shortlisted schools faced a public vote to decide who should be grated the cash. And after a grand total of 35,000 public votes, the winner was selected as CVPS to create Lyla's garden, which will be made up of Lyla's favourite flowers and will provide pupils and team members at the school, as well as Lyla's family with a calming space to reflect and remember her.
Debbie Wylie, Principal at Cramlington Village Primary School, said: "We're so pleased to have won Dobbies' Helping Your Community Grow initiative and are looking forward to remembering Lyla in a fitting memorial garden. We're very grateful for everyone's support in getting the project to this point, and we're looking forward to using some of Lyla's favourite flowers to attract her favourite birds to this very special place."
Dobbies' CEO, Graeme Jenkins, said: "Helping Your Community Grow is an opportunity to support local projects that are making a real difference to their local area. We're honoured to be announcing our national winning project, Cramlington Village Primary School, and wish them all the best with the garden."
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