It is with great sadness that we have to share with you the news that Charlie Dunne, one of our Year 13 students in Denson House, has died after suffering a terrible accident on a beach in North Devon, whilst on holiday.

Charlie had recently completed his A levels. He attended the Leavers’ Ball on Sunday 8 July and then travelled to North Devon for a holiday with family and some friends. Whilst on the beach Charlie suffered a terrible accident that left him with a catastrophic injury to his vertebrae causing spinal injury and cardiac arrest.

His family took the impossible decision to turn off the life support that had been assisting Charlie since the accident. Charlie died on Wednesday evening 11 July 2018. Charlie was registered as an organ donor and there is some comfort in the idea of him perhaps living on in others and potentially transforming lives.

Charlie was lively, inquisitive, friendly and helpful young man. He was always smiling, always happy and was well known across the whole School. His impact on Denson House, on the rugby squad and his friends cannot be underestimated and our thoughts and support are with the family and the whole Aylesburian community.

As can be imagined this tragic news has hit the School community very hard. It is important for individuals to express their feelings and also get the support they need. Tomorrow we will spend the afternoon remembering Charlie and we wanted to let OAs, who knew Charlie, of arrangements for this Tuesday afternoon 17 July.  

The afternoon will be very much focused on memories of Charlie and on his 7 years at AGS – and it will also be about supporting his friends. We know there will be other informal and formal gatherings and events, separate to the school, which will also celebrate his life. Tuesday will be about his AGS friends being together informally, and his life and friendships here.

Timings: Please arrive at school from 2.30pm. At 3.00pm we aim to head into the Hall to share memories of Charlie and afterwards we expect that there will be plenty of informal chat, tears and laughter.

Venues: Headmaster’s Quad, Hall and Boardroom. There is a book for you to write memories or thoughts in if you wish to – this is in the Boardroom. It will be given to Charlie’s parents at a later date. The book will remain in the Boardroom, at least, for all of next week and you are welcome any time.

Dress code: Bright colours, bold shirts!

We look forward to seeing you if you wish to join us – this invitation is open mainly to his year group but also to students in the years above Charlie who knew him via House, rugby or other aspect of school life. It would be helpful if you could drop Mrs Venning (or any of the 6^th form team) a message so we can have an idea of numbers. Remember you are welcome to come in and see us any time and to sign the book.

Once an Aylesburian, always an Aylesburian.