Little Tyler’s buddy bench to bring smiles where there were tears
PARENTS INSTALL BENCH AT SCHOOL IN MEMORY OF ‘LOVABLE SOUL’
THE parents of little Tyler Ryan of Charleville, who lost his battle with cancer last March at just 22 months old, have donated a colourful buddy bench in his memory to Ballyhea National School, which is attended by his sister, Lillykate, who is in junior infants.
Tyler was signed-up along with his twin brother, Scott, now two and a half years, to attend the school when the time came. Unfortunately, it was not to be as Tyler was diagnosed with cancer and was attending Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin, but succumbed to the disease in March of last year.
In a school setting, a buddy bench, or friendship bench, is a special place in a school playground where a child can go when they want someone to talk to. It is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground, and it encourages pupils to mingle with others.
His parents, Margo and Stephen Ryan, were on hand to present the national school principal Paul Cronin with the commemorative bench on last Friday morning at Ballyhea, which is located some four miles south of Charleville.
Margo Ryan said that Tyler was a much-loved and lovable baby, who always had a smile. “He was a lovable soul, who loved music and when he was with us brought so many smiles to the faces of everybody and touched the hearts of so many. We hope that in Tylers’ memory we can bring some smiles to the faces of children through the use of this ‘ buddy bench’ in the school yard,” she said.
Margo said Ballyhea NS was a fantastic school, where everybody was so supportive, “and we would like to thank them for their continued support”.
The brightly painted bench was manufactured by members of the Bruff Men’s Shed, who are based in the Kirby O’Sullivan Centre in the County Limerick town.
Tyler was also a Little Blue Hero, a charity which is run by the Garda Síochána members to help terminally ill children. Margo and Stephen have also organised a walk in Tyler’s memory at Doneraile Park in aid of the Little Blue Heroes children’s charity on the 7th
March starting at 12 noon. “We hope to get as much support as possible for the walk as they truly deserve it for the fantastic work they do, and every kid deserves to smile.” said Margo.