The community in Wantage has begun raising money for a memorial bench for a beloved lollypop lady who passed away earlier this month.

Dawn Holmes, described as a “town icon”, died aged 67 on Monday, November 4 this year, 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.

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Gary Couch, who set up a GoFundMe page to begin the fundraising, wrote: “Dawn was a much-loved member of our community, and I am sure is going to be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.”

So far, 26 people have raised more than £330 for the cause, and many more expressed their support for the idea in a community group on Facebook.

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

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Steve Baker, Mrs Holmes’ Brother, said of the response: “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.”

Comments from those who knew her described Mrs Holmes as a “special lady” with a “lovely smile” who worked hard to keep children safe and was always kind.

The fundraiser can be found on the GoFundMe website.

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