A PROJECT launched in memory of a little boy who died of cancer has reached a milestone.

Thanks to two anonymous donations totalling £325, together with a £300 award from Bridport Town Council, the Branden’s Trail Project at Bridport Primary School has met its target of £3,000 for phase one of its development to renovate play equipment.

The two most recent donations have taken the total to date up to £3,258.

The Branden's Trail Project was set up in memory of Branden Wayland who was diagnosed with cancer when he was three-years-old and sadly died two years later.

He attended Bridport Primary School and next to the early years’ classroom where he was taught, is an area now largely derelict with a sign which reads, ‘Branden’s Trail’.

The project aims to restore play equipment at Bridport Primary School and has been co-ordinated by the Bridport Young Persons' Action Trust (BYPAT).

Phase one seeks to ensure that Branden is once again remembered through the revitalisation of his memorial, a legacy to other young children with the creation of a Sensory Garden and Therapy Trail.

In light of this excellent news, the group are still on the lookout for additional volunteers as their numbers have dropped due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Arthur Woodgate, project co-ordinator, said: “We have immense sympathy for those who have suffered in any way because of the virus, and understand that what might once have been possible is no longer so,”

“For Branden’s Trail, a project dear to so many people’s hearts, it looked for a while as though it quite possibly wouldn’t happen.”

Branden's trail has now been declared Bridport Town Council’s 'Community Project of the Year'. Work on the site will begin in the spring, based on plans drawn up by Bridport Gardening Club member Sarah Herring, and the ideas of the children themselves.

The funding appeal continues for Phase 2: development of a hard surfaced area adjoining the trail, thus ensuring an all-weather area of calm refuge for children struggling with aspects of life.

For more information, contact Mr Woodgate at a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com or call 01308 423767.