THE rain couldn't dampen the love in the air on Friday as a climbing frame was unveiled in memory of brave nine-year-old cancer fighter Alex Prescott.

Alex from Parr, died on Tuesday, June 12 2018 at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after a long and courageous battle with leukaemia – which he had been fighting since 2015.

St Helens Star:

Alex Prescott

His school, Allanson Street Primary, wanted to do something in his memory so that Alex, a winner of the Pride of St Helens Child of Courage Award, will never be forgotten.

After asking his proud parents Michelle and James what they thought Alex would have liked, the school decided to raise the £10,000 needed to erect a unique climbing frame that all the children, including his two brothers, can play on, for many years to come.

After fundraising events throughout the year - ranging from dance events, mountain climbs and everyone wearing green (Alex's favourite colour) to school - they managed to raise just under £17,000.

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There is a plaque in Alex's memory beneath a tree next to the climbing frame

On Friday, September 6, just over a year on from Alex's death, Alex's climbing frame in the school grounds was unveiled in front of his proud family, schoolmates and school staff.

His dad James, 34, said: "Alex loved climbing, and when ever he was well enough he would always want to get outside and play on climbing frames, so when the school said they wanted to do something, we immediately thought of that.

"Seeing it today is just really amazing, it's bigger than we thought it would be and the ropes on it are green, Alex's favourite colour, which is lovely as well.

"They've also got a plaque underneath a tree close to it in Alex's memory.

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Alex's brothers James and Leo were the first on the new climbing frame, with mum and dad Michelle and James and headteacher Mrs Farnell watching on

"Honestly everything the school has done to support Alex, then us as a family is just amazing. The community is amazing."

Alex's mum Michelle, 33, added: "It's been hard for us, especially his brother Leo who has found it particularly difficult, but this is a lovely way for everyone to remember Alex.

"It was lovely when Mrs Farnell said it will teach people how to be brave like Alex, it's lovely to think that and we know everyone will be loving playing on it when the sun is shining.

"It's just lovely."

Alex's younger brothers Leo, five and James, four, were the first to try out the new climbing frame who both agreed that Alex would "love it".

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Time for icecream

The rest of the school also got to tuck into some ice cream, with their choice of toppings, after ice cream man John Watkinson and wife Nan from Super Ices came to the school, to mark the special event.

Head teacher Patricia Farnell added: "It was a privilege to have Alex at our school, I know that he changed and inspired so many people with his courage, determination and his refusal to ever give up.

"We have a plaque under the tree that describes him as a fearless legend and he absolutely was.

St Helens Star:

The school came together to remember Alex

"This equipment will give years of fun to hundreds if not thousands of children and it's a really fitting way to celebrate Alex's time with us and to help us remember him."

She added: "Both Alex and his family are incredibly inspiring and their strength, both Alex in his fighting and his family since then, is just incredible and it's an honour to finally unveil this with his family today."

Funds were also donated by the family of Violet-Grace Youens, via the charity set up in her name – Violet-Grace's Gift.