George was a hugely talented and passionate sportsman, whose death last year at the age of 24 left a gaping hole in the lives of many. As deputy head boy, George, who was also gifted academically and musically, embraced every aspect of school life and faced everything with energy and enthusiasm. Even in the face of his illness, he was cheerful and upbeat, continuing to fund-raise for CLIC Sargent while receiving debilitating cancer treatment himself.

Now his friends want to help set up a lasting memorial to George and his old school, Plymouth College, has decided to refurbish the historic pavilion on its sports field in Ford Park in his name.

Close friends of George, including team-mates, classmates and their families, have embraced the plan to name the pavilion The George Stephenson Pavilion. It feels appropriate to link his name with the nurture of young sporting talent for generations of pupils to come. A powerful and exciting batsman, tenacious rugby scrum-half and talented all-round athlete, the sports field and adjacent pavilion were the scene of many of Georges triumphs. For some years, there was a rumour that if any cricketer managed to strike the pavilion clock with a ball, everyone would get the day off school. There was always the anticipation, when George went in to bat, that he might just be the one to manage it.

While the school will fund and be responsible for the main structural and essential work, refurbishing changing rooms and showers for example, the Friends of George want to celebrate his memory by creating a unique space on the first floor of the building. It will be a hospitality area, where parents and visitors alike can support young players from the terrace, and enjoy post-match teas. We plan a sympathetic restoration and, importantly, one that will also commemorate the proud and numerous sporting achievements of past pupils, with historic photographs, trophies and mementoes on display. The first floor renovation will retain, or replicate, many original features of the building, which was last re-built just before WW2, but whose incarnation dates back nearly a century and a half.

We estimate that this exciting project requires an initial fund of £10,000 to begin the work required to turn this special building into a pavilion worthy of George Stephensons name and also to nurture the sporting talent of present and future pupils of Plymouth College.

Fundraising has now started and any donation you can make to this project will be greatly appreciated and thoughtfully put to use.

George was a hugely talented and passionate sportsman, whose death last year at the age of 24 left a gaping hole in the lives of many. As deputy head boy, George, who was also gifted academically and musically, embraced every aspect of school life and faced everything with energy and enthusiasm. Even in the face of his illness, he was cheerful and upbeat, continuing to fund-raise for CLIC Sargent while receiving debilitating cancer treatment himself.

Now his friends want to help set up a lasting memorial to George and his old school, Plymouth College, has decided to refurbish the historic pavilion on its sports field in Ford Park in his name.

Close friends of George, including team-mates, classmates and their families, have embraced the plan to name the pavilion The George Stephenson Pavilion. It feels appropriate to link his name with the nurture of young sporting talent for generations of pupils to come. A powerful and exciting batsman, tenacious rugby scrum-half and talented all-round athlete, the sports field and adjacent pavilion were the scene of many of Georges triumphs. For some years, there was a rumour that if any cricketer managed to strike the pavilion clock with a ball, everyone would get the day off school. There was always the anticipation, when George went in to bat, that he might just be the one to manage it.

While the school will fund and be responsible for the main structural and essential work, refurbishing changing rooms and showers for example, the Friends of George want to celebrate his memory by creating a unique space on the first floor of the building. It will be a hospitality area, where parents and visitors alike can support young players from the terrace, and enjoy post-match teas. We plan a sympathetic restoration and, importantly, one that will also commemorate the proud and numerous sporting achievements of past pupils, with historic photographs, trophies and mementoes on display. The first floor renovation will retain, or replicate, many original features of the building, which was last re-built just before WW2, but whose incarnation dates back nearly a century and a half.

We estimate that this exciting project requires an initial fund of £10,000 to begin the work required to turn this special building into a pavilion worthy of George Stephensons name and also to nurture the sporting talent of present and future pupils of Plymouth College.

Fundraising has now started and any donation you can make to this project will be greatly appreciated and thoughtfully put to use.