School mates rally to realise Aaron's dream

Dec 8 2010 By Lawrence Poole, Buckinghamshire Examiner

aaron

THE friends of teenage cancer victim Aaron West (pictured centre) were the stars of the show as they laid on a music and dance extravaganza in his honour.

The fundraiser was held to raise cash towards setting up a goalkeeping academy in Bucks. The 16-year-old footballer vowed to set up the academy days before his death in October.

Held at The Amersham School on Monday night, pupils, teachers and ex-pupils joined forces to perform in A Night To Remember to help fulfil Aaron's dream of helping local children break into sport.

More than £1,700 was collected on the night to go with the £9,000 already raised from various charity football matches and public donations.

Sixth-form pupil Ian Sanidad was one of the organisers. He said: "The idea came to me when I attended the charity football match at the end of October, just after Aaron died. I was thinking I wish I could play football and contribute too, then the idea of putting together a concert came about."

With homages to everybody from Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas to Glee and musicals Sweet Charity and Chicago, the show also featured a song specially written for Aaron by school band Peridiym.

Aaron's proud mum, Dax, was delighted with how the night had gone: "It was just beautiful. They put so much work and heart into it. It was great to see all the kids pulling together. His Song, which they wrote for Aaron, was fantastic."

Kelly Cossins, head of sixth form at the school, said: "He was such a fantastic lad and we've all had our wobbly moments since he died, but this was a great way to pay tribute to him."

Aaron's parents are now working on a business plan to put the academy into place. * To donate to the academy fund, post cheques payable to Mr and Mrs West to Chris Fraser, WWFC Community Scheme, Adams Park, Hillbottom Road, Bucks, HP12 4HJ.