Based on the life of:
Max Lechner
2000 - 2011
Benefitting the Charity: The Compassionate Friends -www.tcf.org.uk
Jo Campbell, Max's Primary 2 teacher
The first time I ever met Max I was walking past his Primary 1 classroom visiting from a different unit. A bundle of fun came bounding up to me with an enormous grin " Hi, I'm Max, what's your name? "
Everyone knew and loved Max in the school. He was famous!! Famous for being chatty and smiley and friendly. When Max moved up to Primary 2 I had the pleasure of being his teacher. I remember him being enthusiastic and cheerful, ready with news and questions.
Max loved a hug. It warmed my heart that as he moved up the school he did not fail to stop every time he saw me in the corridor to give me a hug and have a quick chat. What other boy his age would ask a teacher how she was, how her little girl was getting on, how was my weekend? Precious!!
Max had a very soft, tender side too. I can remember when his need of a hug was different. Maybe a game had gone a bit pear shaped or one of his bossy peers had bossed him a bit too far. He would always bounce back within minutes, forgive his friends and get back to the business of having fun and being right at the heart of everything.
When you are a teacher, you sometimes put in that extra effort to set up a really cool activity or offer a creative and exciting learning experience. Max always said thank you. It might sound like a little thing but you would be surprised how few actually ever do and how much that little phrase can mean to a teacher who has worked really hard on something.I really appreciated him for that.
Max was one of those extra special souls and this world is a poorer place without him.
Audrey Herriot, Cults Primary School
I had the pleasure of teaching Max in the Yellow Unit. He always did his best - even when he didn't want to do something. Max was always talking about his big brothers - he was so proud of them.
My fondest memories of Max are of him working towards his John Muir Award. He worked hard in the school grounds and he especially liked the visits from Farmer Brian, asking him lots of questions and was delighted to get a go on the tractor.
Max achieved his certificate which was awarded at a BBQ in the woods. He must have eaten about 5 burgers and 5 hotdogs and he made sure that everybody else had plenty to eat too. He had a real zest for life and enjoyed himself. Max taught me a lot about life; to enjoy each day and to live in the moment.
Max's teacher Alison Stewart
My enduring memory of Max will be how first thing virtually every morning, he would walk over, lift up his lovely smiling face and say " Good morning, Mrs Stewart". He seemed to be so happy at school - I just wish I could bottle the essence of Max .
One of his favourite duties was to collect the dinner tickets. Max seemed to love the responsibility, although his Mum reminded me that this was not surprising given his love of food!
Max always tried his best and took great pride in not only his own achievements, but those of his classmates. Gaining gold stars for showing respect and helping others gave him an immense amount of pleasure. Max took great delight in sticking the star on the Red unit awards chart!
Max's Support for Learning teacher, Diane Drummond
My main observations of Max were really like everyone else's who knew him.
He was a wonderful happy and cheerful boy who was loved by everyone and gave out a lot of love.
He always made me smile and brought sunshine with him into the Yellow Unit.
He loved football, being out and about, sweets and chocolate! Max is a real credit to his loving parents and family and will be sorely missed. He left behind many happy memories and greatly enriched the lives of all who knew him.
Lorna Dalziel, Deputy Head, Cults Primary School
Max was one of the friendliest people I've met. No matter where we were - school, dining room, corridor, football pitch, Costco - Max would stop to hear your news.
He always said Hello, even if he wasn't personally acquainted : ( Hello Alex's brother! " - he called to my younger son) and when you asked how he was, he always said " Good."
When I think of Max I see his big cheeky grin - I will remember him always.
Suzanne Wilson, Cults Primary School
I have countless happy memories of Max but some of the treasured moments include seeing his proud and happy face as he presented his model castle to the class in P5. He was so pleased with himself and delighted at the attention all the other pupils gave to the lovely photos of him included around the top of his castle showing him making the model at home.
I remember him bursting with pride on many occasions as he told me all about his big brother's footballing triumphs, games to be played and how good his brothers were at football.
He was delighted on the days we counted the dinner tickets in German as he knew some German words and numbers his Dad had taught him and loved to share this with us all. Max's most enduring habit was the daily hug I would receive from him each morning in P5. I am so glad this was a habit he didn't lose as he went into P6 and the red unit. Even when Max moved on from P5 I would still get a warm hug every day in the dining hall or wherever he happened to see me each day! I will really miss that., along with seeing his happy face and hearing his cheery hello each day.
Gayle Allan, Cults Primary School
My lasting memory of Max was the first time I met him in the Nursery. He calmly walked up to me ( having never met me before) politely extended his arm, shook my hand and said " Hello, I'm Max, pleased to meet you " then he turned walked away and went to play!
Every time I saw him after that, in or out of school he would smile, wave and say " Hello Mrs Allan!"
This is just a classic example of the charming little boy Max was.
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