Dexter’s light to shine on

An Elland rugby club have rallied round for a dad who lost his baby son to keep the graveyard where he is buried clean for all the community to visit.
Elland Rugby League team are helping clean up Greetland Church Yard in aid of Dexters Light.Elland Rugby League team are helping clean up Greetland Church Yard in aid of Dexters Light.
Elland Rugby League team are helping clean up Greetland Church Yard in aid of Dexters Light.

James Cook’s son Dexter died when he was one-year-old in May this year and was buried in St Thomas’ Church in Greetland.

Along with his mum Gemma they wanted to ensure his memory and name lived on and set up Dexter’s Light - a facebook page where people could post pictures of Dexter or recall happy memories and tell stories about him.

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From this, strong community links were formed; a working group was forged and a working party was established to landscape the graveyard in which Dexter is buried after a particularly showery springtime led to the grass growing out of control.

“When Dexter was laid to rest in June the graveyard was overgrown and got in such a state that the grass was waist high in many places,” said James.

“I took it upon myself, with family and friends to help cut the grass and make it look nice.

“The community has been amazing.

“We’ve had so many messages of support through facebook, text messages, letters, messages being left on Dexter’s grave - total strangers who have empathised and sympathised with what we have gone through.

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“We are very, very grateful for the community and for their support especially St Thomas’ church and Elland Rugby League Football Club.”

Along with volunteers, the team and James spent the day clearing the graveyard with cakes, teas and sandwiches being donated to help keep the workforce going.

“Today was the last tidy up of the graveyard for 2014.

“What we are trying to achieve is a peaceful place where people can come to and spend time with their loved ones, sit quietly and reflect.

“I believe if we tidy the graveyard and make it more colourful and pretty with more flowers it will encourage more people to visit their loved ones.”

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Dexter’s Light has started community projects and raised over £1,000 for the local church and donations have been made in his name the to the Children’s Trust.

To find out more about the work of group visit www.dexterslight.org.uk

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