Burnley & Pendle Citizen - the local newspaper for our community

Heroes turn out in memory of tragic Nathan

From the Bolton Evening News, first published Tuesday 4th May 2004.

YOUNGSTERS at a Bolton school tested their footballing skills with their soccer heroes -- and raised money for a memorial garden in remembrance of a classmate.

Nathan Macari, a pupil at Crompton Fold Primary School, Breightmet, died in January just hours after being diagnosed with a rare form of meningitis.

And fellow pupils at the school are raising money to create a garden dedicated to him.

They took part in a sponsored training session with Wanderers stars Kevin Nolan and Henrik Pedersen.

Youngsters practised headers with Henrik and shots with Kevin as the whole school gathered in the hall to cheer them on. For each successful shot or header, youngsters received 10 p in sponsorship -- and £26 was raised in total.

Kevin said: "It's great coming into schools. It's fantastic to see how excited the kids are. I remember when footballers came into our school and what it was like trying to impress them. It's nice to give something back. It's terrible to hear about the young lad dying from meningitis -- it's a nasty illness -- and it's good to come down here and support the family." Ten-year-old pupil Jorges Davies said: "I really enjoyed meeting the players. It was a bit scary because we were doing headers in front of lots of people, but we've been practising a lot."

The Poulton Avenue school is planning to create a beautiful memorial garden in memory of eight-year-old Nathan and has already raised hundreds of pounds for the project.

Regular meetings are taking place to discuss with Nathan's family what should be in the garden. A water feature has already been donated and a landscape designer has already come forward and offered her services for free.

Nathan's grandfather who is a joiner, is also planning to make benches for the garden.

The Wanderers players donated a signed shirt, football, DVDs and books to the school so they can be raffled.

Headteacher Diane O'Brien said: "Nathan had such a sunshiney smile we may have a 'sunshine' paved area in the garden."

Nathan, of Beechcroft Avenue, Breightmet, died of the bacterial strain of meningitis which attacks the brain and spinal cord. His sister Aimee is in the reception class at Crompton Fold.

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