Community efforts are gathering pace in Wantage for a memorial bench for a beloved lollipop lady who died earlier this month.

'Town icon' Dawn Holmes died aged 67 on Monday, November 4 and has since been remembered in an outpouring of tributes by residents in Wantage.

Temporary offerings were left at the corner by the Wessex Mill where she helped children cross the road, but fans of Mrs Holmes decided a more permanent memorial was warranted.

At the start of this week, £400 had been raised from more than 30 donations with a target of £1,000. 

Gary Couch, who set up a GoFundMe page to begin the fundraising, wrote on the page: “I have set up this page to help raise the funds for a memorial bench in memory for Dawn Holmes (lollipop lady). 

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“Dawn passed away at home on Monday morning having served for many years as the town’s lollipop lady, helping children to cross the road at the end of Mill Street.

"Dawn was a much loved member of our community and I am sure she is going to be greatly missed by everyone who knew her."

A church service is planned on December 2, starting at noon in the St Peter's and St Paul's Church. This service is being open to any members of the public who wish to attend. 

Dawn Holmes Dawn Holmes (Image: Contributed) The balloons, cards, flowers and lollipops left outside to remember her will be collected and preserved by the memorial organiser, the Rusty Cafe.

Steve Baker, Mrs Holmes' brother, said: “My wife and I have been absolutely amazed by all the comments left.

“I stopped and looked at the memorial on Tuesday and it brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t know how much she was loved by the people of Wantage.

“The amount of chocolates and sweets she used to get at Christmas was unreal. She would do anything for anyone and always put other people before herself, no question. 

“I just want to thank everyone in Wantage, from the whole family, from the bottom of our hearts.

"We’re totally gobsmacked, the response is truly unbelievable.”

Friends from Sainsbury’s, the supermarket in Wantage which Mrs Holmes visited everyday according to her brother, also left a bouquet of flowers and a card at her memorial.

It read: “We will all miss seeing you each day and all the lovely conversations we had with you. Our thoughts are with all family at this time. Sleep peacefully Dawn.”

Paramedics were called at about 5am on Monday, November 4, and treated Mrs Holmes at home, but she died at the scene from a suspected heart attack.

For more details about the fundraisers, visit: gofundme.com/f/dawn-holmes. 

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About the author  

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government. 

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years. 

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby