Stonehenge School open memorial garden after student's death

Jake Swinscoe, aged 13, was diagnosed with stage 3, fusion-positive alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in July 2023.

He completed nine rounds of chemotherapy and proton beam radiation, but in March 2024, end-of-treatment scans revealed that the cancer had spread to the fluid surrounding his brain and spine.

He made the brave decision not to receive any more treatment and went home. He passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 26, 2024, just two weeks before his 14th birthday.

Jake attended Stonehenge School on Holders Road and was in Year 9 when he died, and now he would have been coming to the end of Year 10.

A year after his passing, on Friday, April 25, the school held an opening ceremony for a memorial garden in Jake's honour. The whole of his year group and closest friends, and family attended the emotional moment.

Headteacher Carole Dean pushed through tears to open the event and welcome the people gathered.

The garden consists of a bench dedicated to Jake, some plants, concrete slabs and a wooden plaque with a poem. The space was an idea of the students and Jake's friends, and it was designed and built by Simon Earle from Neilcott Construction.

Family, friends and students gathered for a minutes silence to remember Jake (Image: Newsquest) There was also a memory capsule from the school and one from his family that was buried in the garden by the students, and all of the parts of the garden were donated by people and companies.

Jake's dad, Adam Swinscoe, overcame his emotions to give a moving tribute to his son before mum, Lynsey and older sister, Ava Swinscoe, officially opened the garden by cutting a ribbon.

Dad, Adam, said: "The school have been absolutely amazing throughout this, they have gone above and beyond to support our family but also to remember Jake."

Jake's family have set up Jake's Arc, which is a fundraising page to raise awareness and money for the type of cancer he had. They also have a JustGiving page raising money for the same cause.

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Mum, Lynsey, said: "Jake was such a special and brave boy, and he was not afraid of dying even after he was told his cancer was terminal.

"His only fear was that he would be forgotten, and the school have done a brilliant job in helping us make sure he is always remembered."

Jake's memorial garden (Image: Newsquest) Family friend and funeral director at I N Newmans, Mike Ward, helped plan and put on Jake's funeral, but Mike didn't actually have to do much planning.

He said: "I had a call from Jake's dad saying they wanted me to help with the funeral. I was really nervous because they are not just clients but friends, but when I got there, I sat down with Jake, and he planned his own funeral.

"He knew exactly what he wanted, and the idea of it didn't scare him at all. He was such an extraordinary young man, and I was so shocked by his bravery."

Stonehenge School have put on so many things in Jake's memory, and they want his legacy and his story to be remembered forever.

Headteacher, Mrs Dean said: "As a school, we wanted to make sure Jake was a part of us here and we wanted to give the students the reins to do things how they want to remember him.

"Some of Jake's friends shaved their heads in honour of him and raised money at the same time. We held a day where everyone came to school wearing blue, which was Jake's favourite colour."