Squirrels Heath Infant School memorial for Amos Chipperfield

Amos Chipperfield, who died suddenly last April after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, was honoured with an event at his former school Squirrels Heath Infants on Friday (April 19). 

A musical memorial, allowing pupils to play instruments at the school in Gidea Park, was attended by his classmates, his sister Aria and headteacher Julie White, among 100 others, at 3.30pm that day.

Amos, "loved to dance, play and make people smile", an inscription on the centre-piece steel drum read.

A fundraiser was set up by family friend Nikki Athwal ten months ago which hit £11,277.

Amos's dad Nathan and a small team, who had taken time off work, installed the instruments as permanent fixtures in the playground, said to be the boy's "favourite place in the world."

Amos Chipperfield with his parents Charlotte and Nathan and sister Aria (Image: Nathan Chipperfield)

"I know so many of them [Amos's friends] miss him so much, there's still a lot of love for him," Nathan said.

"It was particularly touching that so many of his friends were there because I think they felt part of it as well, like they'd contributed."

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The Chipperfield family with headteacher Mrs Julie White (right of Nathan in red) and caretaker Mr Gez Walsh (far right) (Image: Nathan Chipperfield)

The opening came just weeks after the anniversary of Amos's death.

Nathan said he was "blown away" at the turnout, especially with so many of the six-year-old's friends in attendance.

"A lot of Amos's school friends, now in Year Two, all came out from their clubs to watch and have a little play on the instruments which was a really special moment."

The music teacher added that the petal drums, below right, were especially important since Amos loved nature and flowers.

Nathan and members of the Gidea Park community installed the instruments in their free time (Image: Nathan Chipperfield)

But it has not been a time without difficulty, Nathan said.

"For us it was very emotional, as well as being a happy time.

"As hard as it was, we look at that and think that was for him, all that hard work and raising money was for Amos and his legacy," Nathan said.

The Gidea Park parent said children enjoyed playing at the memorial until 4.15pm last Friday, and it is now open every day.

He thanked everyone for their donations, including people who they had never met.

"We were really blessed, really touched by how much we received and how far it went," Nathan added.