A MEMORIAL day organised in memory of a Clarendon School stalwart was a roaring success at the weekend.

Tony Thompson, who was a pupil at the Trowbridge school before being its caretaker for 14 years, died two years ago after losing a battle with lung cancer.

On Saturday a memorial fun day was held at the school he loved with music, a bouncy castle, face painting and more, organised by his granddaughter Tarina Thompson, which raised £630 for Dorothy House.

Mrs Thompson, 29, said: “We only organised it in a couple of weeks so didn’t expect it to go that well or to raise that much money.

“He really was a part of Clarendon and loved working there so to have the event on the school grounds was very fitting.

“There was a very celebratory feel to the day but we did let some blue and yellow balloons off, the Clarendon colours, to remember him which was quite emotional.

“Everyone pulled together to make the day a success and I’m really proud of how it went.”

When Mr Thompson died at the age of 75, pupils at the school built a memorial garden for him and at his funeral a minibus filled with pupils turned up to pay their respect.

Mr Thompson’s sister, Sally Boyle, 58, of Drynham Road, said: “It was such a lovely day and so nice to see so many people come together to celebrate Tony’s life.

“He was such a lovely, genuine person and had lots of friends and family.

“Tarina worked so hard to organise the event and did an absolutely amazing job. We would also like to thank Clarendon for letting us hold the event there.

“People kept saying we should make it an annual event because it was so good.”

On the day, donations were made so that Mrs Boyle’s foster daughter, Svonne Boyle, can buy a new headstone for her son, Nathan, who died 19 years ago at the age of two.

Along with the blue and yellow balloons, blue balloons were released in memory of Nathan.