Suffolk: Stour Valley school pays tribute to Haydn Restarick

Students and staff at Stour Valley Community School in Clare paid tribute to Haydn Restarick, who passed away during the summer holidays before he could start Year 11.

On Tuesday, which would have been his 16th birthday, Haydn's friends organised a non-uniform Purple Day, which will continue to take place on November 22 every year. 

During the day the school raised funds for the ward which looked after Haydn at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Dan Stephens, a teacher at Stour Valley, said he was very proud of the students and how they came together to celebrate Haydn's life. 

He said: “Students put together an event to celebrate the life of their friend and it has been a special time to work with them to make this into a reality.

"I could not be more proud of their mature approach to honouring Haydn.”

During the afternoon staff and students in Haydn's year group took part in a celebration event that was started by the playing of AC/DC, his favourite band. 

Haydn also had a keen interest in the armed forces and this was reflected when members of the Royal British Legion and serving army personnel from Rocks Barracks in Woodbridge led a procession of the school community into the hall.

The Rev Paul Graham, minister of Clare Baptist Church, then led a celebration with making references to Haydn’s enjoyment of strategy games, Dungeons & Dragons and his sense of fun.

Cath Bank, deputy headteacher at Stour Valley Community School, added: “In one way or another, our whole community has been affected by Haydn’s death.

“Purple Day has brought everyone together and allowed us to pay tribute to Haydn and the positive impact he had on so many lives.”

On the day, the school raised £880. Anyone who wishes to donate can visit the family's fundraising page.