Exmouth school bench tribute to Lily’s special mum
Exeter Road pupil Lily Robbins sitting on 'Caroline's Bench' dedicated in memory of Lily's mother. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref exe 4123-24-13AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24 - Credit: Archant
A SPECIAL bench has been dedicated to the memory of Caroline Robbins, a much-missed mum, parent and meal-time assistant at Exmouth’s Exeter Road Community Primary School.
The site of “Caroline’s bench” was chosen by her daughter, nine-year-old Lily, a pupil at the school.
As well as being a pleasant place to sit – and a nice place for Lily to remember her mum - it’s also a “make-a-friend” bench, so that lonely children can have new friends to talk to and play with.
Caroline died suddenly from cancer over Christmas.
“It was a big shock,” said Paul Gosling, the school’s head teacher. “She was in hospital and three weeks later she passed away.
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“The community wanted to remember Caroline and had a collection, and the family contributed as well.
“We got enough together for a bench. It will be a nice way that Lily can sit on the bench and remember her mum, and other children can do the same.”
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A dedication ceremony was held recently with the family. It was led by Sid Humphries, a teaching assistant who is training to be a vicar.
“If anyone’s no-one’s friend, they can sit at it,” said Mr Gosling. “We tell the other children, if you see someone sitting alone on the bench, they can sit next to them, have a chat, or play a game together.”
And what does Lily think of her mum’s bench?
“She’s very proud of it and I guess it’s helping,” said Mr Gosling.
