Legacy of teacher lives on as classroom opens in her memory

Helen Thompson, a reception teacher at Basildon Primary School, died from a brain haemorrhage within hours of being diagnosed with a blood clot in December last year, aged 28.
Mrs Thompson had married her childhood sweetheart, James, four months before her death and the couple supported the charity International Disaster Volunteers after meeting founder and CEO Andy Chaggers while volunteering in Thailand after a tsunami struck the country.
Mrs Thompson had set out to raise a modest £200 for the charity but since her death, the total has exceeded £28,000.
Mr Chaggers cut a ribbon to officially open a new classroom in Mrs Thompsons memory at the school at a recent ceremony.
Speaking at the opening Mr Chaggers said: “It was immediately clear to me what a fantastic couple they were; so giving and generous. It speaks volumes about Helen and how much has been given in her memory.”
The classroom would have been for Mrs Thompsons Tiger Class. Two of the children she used to teach Niamh Hehir and Miles Askwith, both aged five, said that Mrs Thompson was a nice and happy teacher who they liked helping and playing games with.
The school has held numerous fundraising events for the charity, which has ring-fenced the money donated in Mrs Thompson’s memory.
Mr Chaggers said that a number of options were being discussed with Mr Thompson, who is currently volunteering with his father-in-law in the Philippines, including building a new school or community centre in the typhoon stricken country.
Mr Chaggers, who lost his partner of five years in the Thailand tsunami, said: “It’s a very poignant situation for James. I know he has such a long road ahead of him but I hope the volunteering gives him the small hope it gave me.
“I think it’s incredibly brave what he and the families have done to raise this money; it’s going to go a long way.”
The opening ceremony concluded with a short prayer from school governor Rev Will Watts who dressed in a knitted rainbow jumper which Mrs Thompson always thanked him for wearing.
Children then asked Mr Chaggers questions on the work of the charity in rebuilding people’s homes in disaster stricken countries.
Headteacher Paul Field said: “Today is about taking a bit of time to remember Helen and to remember the fantastic memories and feelings she put into the school and a chance to look to the future as we open a new part of the school.... and recognising the contribution that [Helen and James] made.
“It’s about taking this next step in cementing this legacy with our school and to share our good fortune with those who are less fortunate than ourselves on the other side of the world because even though Helen did not know them she cared about their suffering.”
For more information visit www.idvolunteers.org and to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/H-Thompson