AN appeal to raise £6,000 to build a lasting memorial to a much-loved teacher from Kingswinford has smashed the £4,000 milestone in just two weeks.

Donations have been pouring into the appeal to create a Garden of Peace and Reflection at Far Forest Lea Memorial CE Primary Academy as a tribute to Adele Howells, who died from cancer last November, aged 44.

Hayley Tarbet, PTA treasurer, said: “We never would have dreamt that after only two weeks we’d achieve our initial goal of £4,000 and be well on our way to our stretch target of £6,000.”

The appeal is being run as an Aviva Crowdfunder and including match funding and gift aid, has so far raised £4,800.

Along with donations are many heartfelt tributes from friends, colleagues, parents and former pupils who remember Adele with affection and for the impact she had on many lives, having taught at the school for 16 years.

“A lasting legacy for a beautiful soul,” says one, another: “For inspiring a love of reading in Rory. You are much missed.”

Adele’s mum, Wendy Howells, has also donated, saying: “In memory of my beautiful daughter, Adele. She loved the school, the children and her colleagues; this is such a beautiful tribute to her. Thank you to everyone who has donated.”

At the heart of the garden will be a gazebo where a whole class can be outdoors reading and learning together.

It will also be a peaceful retreat for children to have time out to reflect and read and will be landscaped with plants, including forget-me-nots.

Additional funds raised as part of the stretch target will be used to further expand the outdoor learning opportunities for the pupils, with fruit tree planting, new seating around the forest school firepit and improvements to pathways.

To make a donation visit https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/miss-howells-garden-of-peace-reflection

Mokshuda Begum, head of school, said: “The response to the PTA’s appeal has been overwhelming. We are so grateful and hope our goal can be reached within the few weeks that’s left for the appeal to run.”