Harrison Aylott, 15, was hailed as as ‘the light in our lives’ by his family after he died on a railway track in the north Cotswolds on the evening of Monday, June 8.
Harrison Aylott, 15, was described as a ‘beautiful boy’ by his family while his teachers said he ‘brightened our school and was a pleasure to teach’. Image: GoFundMe (Image: GoFundMe)
In just over a week after his death, £24, 170 has been raised towards a target of £25,000 to help his family with funeral costs and to support teen mental health charities.
Boy was ‘cherished’ by his community
Writing on the GoFundMe page, one of Harrison’s friends said: “One of my closest friends, Harrison Aylott, recently passed away.
“He was only 15 and fell victim to the ever-rising issue of the neglect of men’s mental health.
“He was a much loved member of our community and his kindness, laugh and way of never failing to make people smile will be long remembered.
“He never failed to make a positive impression on any person meeting him for the first time.”
“Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated as we celebrate to remember an incredibly cherished member of the local community.”
Harrison, whose death is not being treated as suspicious, was in Year 11 at the Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water, having joined at the start of the year after attending Chipping Campden School.
A popular student and keen sports player, he was also a member of Stow-on-the-Wold Rugby Club’s under-16s squad last season.
A ‘beautiful boy’ who made everyone laugh
In a tribute issued via the British Transport Police, his family described Harrison as a ‘beautiful boy’ who could make everyone laugh, while the Cotswold School added that he made friends easily and brought ‘warmth and positivity to those around him’.
Harrison Aylott (Image: BTP)
His family said: “Our beautiful boy Harrison was the light in our lives and had everyone laughing within minutes of being in his company.
“We’ve had so many lovely messages from his friends telling us just how cherished he was by them and how much joy he brought to them all.
“He was the kindest boy with the biggest heart.”
Harrison was a joy to teach
The Cotswold School said in a statement: “Harrison quickly became a valued member of our school community.
“He made friends with ease, embraced the opportunities available to him in Year 11, and brought warmth and positivity to those around him.
“He brightened our school, was a genuine pleasure to teach, and is a student who will be remembered with great fondness by all who knew him.”
Meanwhile, Stow-on-the-Wold Rugby Club described the news of Harrison’s death as ‘heart-breaking’.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Harrison’s family, friends, teammates, and everyone affected by this tragic loss,” it said.
“The loss of a young life is heart-breaking, and we stand together as a club and rugby community to support one another through this incredibly difficult period.”
How to donate
Donate to the GoFundMe appeal here.
