Cringleford Primary honours child who died from brain tumour

Cringleford Primary School has unveiled a bench and garden in memory of Emmanuel Roboty Onwondault, who died because of an aggressive brain tumour on April 9, 2023.

The emotional ceremony at the Dragonfly Road school was attended by several friends and family of Emmanuel, as well as teachers and pupils.

Emmanuel Roboty Onwondault died in April 2023 from an aggressive brain tumour (Image: Corine Sylong Ogandaga)

"I can't believe that it has been a year since he passed," said Emmanuel's mum, Corine.

"I still have fresh memories of him.

"What has most inspired me about Emmanuel is that he was courageous, brave, really determined, always laughing, smiling all the time and always in a hurry!

Emmanuel's mum, Corine, father Olivier and sister Thea cut the ribbon at the event (Image: Denise Bradley)

"He identified himself as a superhero and made me feel that everything was possible. 

"He gave me hope, faith - so much faith - he was a very inspiring boy.

"There will never be enough words to describe Emmanuel. 

"We have been surrounded by so much support, kindness and generosity. We are very grateful and really appreciate it."

The bench and garden at the entrance of Cringleford Primary School (Image: Denise Bradley)

We take the bus was Emmanuel's favourite phrase (Image: Denise Bradley)

The family moved to Cringleford from Gabon in Africa around six years ago.

The bench is inscribed with Emmanuel's favourite phrase - "we take the bus" - and the garden is decorated with painted pebbles that his friends and schoolmates designed.

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The vicar of St Peter's Church in Cringleford, Rev Graham Wilkins, opened the event and gave thanks for the "great love and joy" Emmanuel brought to those around him. 

Reverend Graham Wilkins (Image: Denise Bradley)

Emmanuel Roboty Onwondault's family, mum Corine and sister Thea, 10, seated, and dad Olivier, centre back. From left, Matt Batley and Michael Etheridge from Notcutts, head teacher, Julia Humphrey, and Emmanuel's teaching assistant, Zoe Wooldridge (Image: Denise Bradley)

Headteacher Julia Humphrey said: "I truly hope that this will be a really special place for people to come to. 

"It is a culmination of so many people taking part and sharing their ideas and talents.

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"As a school, we really stand for the idea of community, and this was an amazing community effort."

Headteacher Julia Humphrey spoke at the event (Image: Denise Bradley)

Several pupils at the primary school helped paint the stone in the garden (Image: Denise Bradley)

The primary school fundraised for the bench at an event held where children dressed up as superheroes in honour of Emmanuel. 

Notcutts Norwich gifted the materials for and built the garden around the bench, which is next to the school's entrance.