Brave Hartlepool youngster Keisha Watson remembered in a charity run at her former school

The school where brave Keisha Watson was a pupil has paid a touching tribute to the courageous girl on her birthday.
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Everyone at St Aidan’s Church of England Memorial Primary School, in Hartlepool, put on their running boots and took to the school grounds as they set off on a special run.

Staff and pupils from nursery right up to Year 6 took part to raise funds for Children’s Cancer North – but also in memory of a much-loved former pupil Keisha.

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Keisha sadly passed away in March after losing her fight with leukaemia.

St Aidan's Primary school pupils (left to right) Logan Marshall, Poppy McDonald, Frankie Sheehan and Millei Sowerby cheer on their fellow pupils who are taking part in a charity run in memory of Keisha Watson.St Aidan's Primary school pupils (left to right) Logan Marshall, Poppy McDonald, Frankie Sheehan and Millei Sowerby cheer on their fellow pupils who are taking part in a charity run in memory of Keisha Watson.
St Aidan's Primary school pupils (left to right) Logan Marshall, Poppy McDonald, Frankie Sheehan and Millei Sowerby cheer on their fellow pupils who are taking part in a charity run in memory of Keisha Watson.

The 10-year-old had fought the disease since 2015 and would attend hospital up to 35 times a year as she underwent chemotherapy and other treatments.

The brave girl was remembered on Wednesday, June 23, as pupils in her former school took to the grounds dressed in bright colours to run and raise money for charity.

Tracey Atkinson, inclusion manager at St Aidan’s, said: “It’s been a busy day but our children have absolutely, thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

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"Every single pupil and every member of staff has taken part in doing the run on the school field.”

Keisha during a princess day organised for her tenth birthday in 2020.Keisha during a princess day organised for her tenth birthday in 2020.
Keisha during a princess day organised for her tenth birthday in 2020.
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The school managed to raise £388, smashing its original target of £200.

A raffle ticket sale at the end of the school day raised £483.79 for Miles for Men as well.

Mrs Atkinson said: "We’re really proud of everybody.”

St Aidan's Primary school pupils Logan Marshall and Millie Sowerby taking part in the charity run in memory of fellow pupil Keisha Watson.St Aidan's Primary school pupils Logan Marshall and Millie Sowerby taking part in the charity run in memory of fellow pupil Keisha Watson.
St Aidan's Primary school pupils Logan Marshall and Millie Sowerby taking part in the charity run in memory of fellow pupil Keisha Watson.

She added: "The children have loved it. It’s been a lovely day outside.

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"Obviously, very emotional for some of our children, and pupils and staff.”

The day was extra special because it would have been Keisha’s 11th birthday.

Mrs Atkinson said: "She was in Year 6, so she would’ve been going to secondary school. It was a very emotional day.

The bench at the school's front garden in memory of Keisha.The bench at the school's front garden in memory of Keisha.
The bench at the school's front garden in memory of Keisha.

"It’s still quite raw, it’s still quite new.”

Back in April, the schoolchildren paid tribute to Keisha by writing down their memories of her in daffodil-shaped notes and fastening yellow ribbons on the school fence.

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A memorial bench in the school’s front garden is also to be unveiled by Keisha’s family on Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs Atkinson said: "It’s obviously going to be there in lasting memory of Keisha, which is really special for the family.

"It joins everything together.”

You can donate to the school fundraiser by searching for St Aidan's CE Memorial Primary Hartlepool at www.childrenscancernorth.enthuse.com

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