Parents and colleagues have paid tribute to Nottingham attacks victim Ian Coates as funds were raised to create a memorial garden for the school caretaker with a 'heart of gold'. Ian Coates, 65, was one of three people killed on Tuesday, June 13 in a spate of violence that also left three people in hospital.
The loss of Mr Coates, who was a cherished father and husband, was also deeply felt by the schools he worked in as a site manager. He had worked at Bulwell Academy for 20 years. At the time of his death he worked at Huntingdon Academy in St Ann's.
Now, after what staff described as a period of "trauma and sadness" for colleagues, children and parents, the school held a fundraiser to raise money for a memorial garden. Ross Middleton, executive headteacher of Huntingdon Academy, said: "We've all realised just how much he did at the time and just how lucky we were to have him.
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"This fundraiser is for Ian and also will allow us to pay tribute to teacher Paul Hopkins, who passed away last year and was much-loved too. "This fundraiser is for a memorial garden, but Ian was also the king of Christmas with all the effort he put into his unbelievable displays, so we'll make sure that tradition of show stopping displays continues.
"He was a mischievous and funny man, but he had a heart of gold. He helped everyone, he built the deputy head teacher a nursery and things like that, but he did not shout from the rooftops about what he did for others - you don't get many people in life like that."
Becky Riley, head of school, added: "At first there was a feeling of just devastation - and we had to try to help parents to explain to children in an age appropriate way, which was very difficult.
"We had a period of trauma and sadness and now we are trying to move forward. This event today is about using the power of community and hope to do that."
Hundreds of pupils and parents listened to a brief and heartfelt speech by Mr Middleton before touring the different parts of the fundraiser. Different sections were named for passions Mr Coates held: You Reds for his support of Nottingham Forest, Walkers Wonder for his love of crisps, Coates Carnival after his fun-loving attitude and Catch of the Day after his hobby of fishing.
Parent Natalie Dickson, 35, and daughter Sienna Beard, five, had both experienced the joy Mr Coates brought to schools he worked in, with Ms Dixon attending Riverleen School (now Bulwell Academy) two decades ago. "I think Ian was about love and this is a celebration of his life. It was fantastic for my daughter to have Ian here, as he was at Bulwell Academy when I went to secondary school there.
"It was great to see that 20 years after I was in school Ian still had his sense of humour and cheek, it hadn't faded. I remember he used to hide the eggs and flour to get the teachers - he would have loved seeing everyone have fun today."
Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, who spent time talking to staff and parents and reading tributes for the caretaker at the event, said Mr Coates' tragic death had brought people together to recognise his impact. "The whole community has really come together, you can see that here, but it has also been a loss that has united the wider Nottingham community," Ms Whittome said.
"We've seen that across the different schools Ian worked in, you have older people and now children who have been touched by his generosity and his willingness to give up so much of his own time and money to help others. It is very clear how much Ian was loved by everyone and this is a great way to recognise that."
