ATHLETE, the favourite band of tragic caving victim Joe Lister, have donated a signed platinum disc in his memory.

The four-piece British indie group heard about Joe's death in a caving accident last November and were moved to send a framed platinum copy of their debut album, Tourist, to his school, Tadcaster Grammar.

The disc spent several weeks at the home of Joe's parents, Martin and Paula, before being returned to the school and head teacher Geoff Mitchell.

There are now plans to have it mounted in a special case and embedded into the wall next to the 14-year-old's form room in the science block.

"When I told some of Joe's friends about the disc they just broke down in tears," said Mr Mitchell,

"I have to confess I had never heard of the band, but I know that this means so much to the young people here who knew and loved Joe.

"The school is still very much in mourning for him and we haven't fully recovered." Joe died on November 14 last year, on the first day of a school caving trip near Pateley Bridge, in Nidderdale.

He was part of a group of 11 Tadcaster Grammar School pupils in an area known as Manchester Hole, when the cave flooded.

Mr Mitchell said the disc came in addition to much hard work the school has been doing in the months since his death with Joe's friends and family to come up with a lasting tribute at the school.

The result is a six-to-seven feet high memorial, designed by Thirsk-based stone mason Neil Collinson, featuring a polished black granite ball which will be set on a local Tadcaster limestone boulder.

It is intended to have ten limestone stools placed around the main memorial each with a letter of Joe's name and one with 2005 carved in.

These are to signify the number of other pupils in the cave with Joe.

Mr Mitchell said: "In a way, it's given the school some strength as we have been trying to work out what the best way forward is.

"The sphere will represent a football, as Joe was a passionate fan of the sport, with the York stone having rough edges, which Joe also had and was one of his special qualities.

"We very much want the memorial to be a living thing which all the pupils can come and sit on and use.

"It will be put in a south-facing courtyard to reflect Joe's nature - he was always smiling."

As a further way to remember Joe the school will be giving one pupil the Joe Lister Award at a speech day in November.

Press and school join forces to launch memorial fund

THE Press today joined forces with Tadcaster Grammar School to launch the Joe Lister memorial fund.

Following Joe's funeral, considerable funds were raised in memory of Joe, with donations going to the Fell Rescue Team, Harrogate Hospital and Tadcaster and Bolton Percy churches.

However, Tadcaster Grammar School head teacher Geoff Mitchell, Joe's school friends and the Lister family have been working together to try and make a lasting memorial in the school grounds.

So far, more than £2,700 has been raised through donations made by the children and from parents and friends of the school, but it is estimated the memorial could cost up to £10,000 to build.

A letter has already been sent out to parents asking them for their help, but the school is now looking to widen the net.

They are not just looking for financial contributions, but any help or support with the building work.

Mr Mitchell said: "This memorial is about the future and the way in which this school can permanently recognise a very special young man.

"We are looking for any help we can get with the project, whether it is financial or support in other ways.

"An area has been set aside at the school for the memorial, but time is marching on and we would like to have the work completed by the third week in July, which is the end of the summer term.

"Mr and Mrs Lister have been consulted at every step of the way throughout the project and have been very supportive of the thoughtful way the school has been working with them."

If you would like to make a donation towards the memorial or think you can help in any way phone The Press education reporter Haydn Lewis on 01904 653051 ext 310.

Any cheques should be made payable to Tadcaster Grammar School and sent in an envelope marked "The Joe Lister Memorial" c/o Tadcaster Grammar School, Toulston, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire LS24 9NB.

Updated: 09:39 Friday, May 05, 2006