On the 18th of October 2018 Ciaron McCandless passed away just 12 days before his 18th birthday. Ciaron attended Crowdys Hill School for the past three years, spending the last two years as part of the sixth form.

He was initially worried about starting at a new school, but Ciaron immediately felt comfortable and this is a testimony to the wonderful teaching in Crowdys. Ciaron had attended mainstream education for most of his life but it wasn't until he joined Crowdys that he began to blossom, both educationally and socially.

By joining Crowdys, Ciaron was able to fulfil his ambition of joining a football club - JBFC (Julie Bowers Football Club - Julie was also Ciaron's sports teacher), and in his first full season helped the club win their first championship, something he was incredibly proud of - he said they couldn't have done it without him!

Ciaron also had the opportunity to engage in work experience, working at The Hub on Clive Parade - The Hub is a cafe/shop which is run between Crowdys and The Night Shelter.

The wonderful work of all the staff & students at Crowdys made a massive difference to the last few years of Ciarons' life. We know they rely on fundraising, organised by The Friends of Crowdys Hill, for many of the opportunities they are able to offer their students and, in memory of Ciaron we would like to raise funds to enable this enrichment. The Friends of Crowdys Hill School Charity allows the school to buy additional equipment and resources to further enhance what they are able to offer to their students.

The first fundraising challenge is for a friend of ours, Sue Learoyd-Smith, to run the London Marathon on 28th April, 2019. Once she has completed the distance, she will be taking part in an assembly at Crowdys to present a cheque for the amount raised, and to talk to the students about the event.

We hope this is just the first of many events to raise money for Crowdys in memory of our son, Ciaron x