Shropshire Star

Sculpture in Bridgnorth arts trail will celebrate brave Rupert's life

A sculpture in Bridgnorth's art trail will celebrate the life of schoolboy Rupert Beckett who died earlier this year after battling cancer.

Published
Rupert Beckett

The art trail launches on Saturday and a dozen decorated locomotive sculptures will be scattered around the town.

One of them, which has been called The Great Bear, has been sponsored by Rupert's parents Ed, 43, and Sarah, 44.

Rupert, of Stottesdon, near Bridgnorth, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma, which he called his ‘crocodile’, at the age of three.

The story is one that caught the imagination of those who wanted to help.

The community rallied round in a fundraising campaign, dubbed Rupert’s Revenge, raising more than £250,000 which was supposed to be put towards lifesaving treatment for the youngster.

Rupert's sister Madeleine, his aunt Liz and artists Deborah Meredith with the sculpture

Sadly, he did not live long enough to receive the treatment, losing his battle with cancer in January at the age of six.

Now, his parents have offered their heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped with the fundraising campaign and have given £2,000 out of their own pockets to sponsor one of the art trail sculptures.

Rupert loved Minecraft, lego and tractors and his father says the artwork on the sculpture reflects his personality.

It also features St Leonard's Church in Bridgnorth, which hosted a charity concert in aid of Rupert last year, and Castlefields Primary School, where Rupert was a pupil.

Iconic landmarks in Bristol and London also feature, marking two of the cities Rupert visited during some of his treatment.

Mr Beckett said: "I think the art trail is a great idea.

"They did one in Bristol where Rupert was having treatment and when we found out they were doing a similar thing in Bridgnorth we could see the exciting prospect it would be.

"We wanted to do something that would be a little bit different and personal to us because it was in memory of our son."

The design on the sculpture was done by artist Deborah Meredith, who manages the Tea & Roses country floral shop and tea room in Bridgnorth High Street.

"She was flexible and took into consideration what we wanted," Mr Beckett said.

"Rupert loved playing Minecraft, it occupied a lot of his time when he was in hospital, so she stylised it the same way and made the artwork look pixelated.

"We are really pleased with it."

The sculpture will be located in Friar’s Street, overlooking the River Severn.

Mr Beckett said: "It's not a location that has any particular significance to us but it is nice. "We want it to be a celebration of Rupert's life and to say thank you to the people of Bridgnorth for supporting us with our fundraising.

"We were overwhelmed really by that support. It was an incredible thing. "All sorts of people came together in various ways and we had multiple fun days and events."

He said the money raised is now in a trust while a decision is made about what will happen to it, although it is hoped it will benefit charities or causes which will help with the treatment of childhood cancers.

Speaking about Rupert, the father-of-four said: "Up until he was ill he was just a normal little boy, special to us, he was full of energy and life.

"He was a smashing lad.

"When he was diagnosed the outlook wasn't great but for three years we hoped he would be one of those who would survive it."

Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer that affects 100 children a year in the UK.