A man “full of love” who was killed by a speeding driver has been remembered at the school where he was a governor.

Newham Recorder: Elmhurst Primary School holding a memorial service for one of its governors, Parmjit Singh Karir, who was killed in a hit and run last year.Elmhurst Primary School holding a memorial service for one of its governors, Parmjit Singh Karir, who was killed in a hit and run last year. (Image: Archant)

Parmjit Singh Karir, 55, died in January last year as he crossed Barking Road, East Ham to go to the gym.

A plaque bearing his name was presented at Elmhurst Primary School this afternoon and will be installed in the recently-created garden area.

Members of the school council also read out a poem in tribute to him.

Headteacher Shahed Ahmed said:”He was always full of love, a nice person.

Newham Recorder: Elmhurst Primary School holding a memorial service for one of its governors, Parmjit Singh Karir, who was killed in a hit and run last year.Elmhurst Primary School holding a memorial service for one of its governors, Parmjit Singh Karir, who was killed in a hit and run last year. (Image: Archant)

“We had been planning this garden probably for about the same amount of time [since his death].

“We knew that when it was finished we wanted to dedicate it to him.”

Mr Karir had been involved with the Upton Park Road, Forest Gate school for almost 25 years, having originally been a parent governor when his three children were pupils.

He also volunteered with the Metropolitan Police, had helped to raise thousands by organising charity cycle rides and had been a games maker at the London 2012 Olympics.

Newham Recorder: Parmjit Singh KarirParmjit Singh Karir (Image: Archant)

Chair of governors Graham Lane said that Mr Karir “helped to save the school”.

He said: “When I came in, he was one of the governors who supported me.

“I went to his funeral and there must have been 500 or 600 people there.”

Head of school Sukwinder Samra added: “He really set a great example for me.

“He always made time to find out how you were feeling.”

She said that he was passionate about the school’s Punjabi club, adding: “He was a great believer in the next generation learning their mother tongue.”

Mr Karir’s eldest son Kuljit, 28, called the school’s gesture “lovely”.

He said: “He was a big believer in making the world a better place.

“He always made time for people.

“We can thank God for giving us a living embodiment of what good means.”

Usman Anwar, 25, of Folkestone Road, East Ham, admitted causing Mr Karir’s death by dangerous driving.

He was jailed for four years and eight months at the Old Bailey in November and disqualified from driving for seven years.