Hartlepool school pupils and staff remember courageous Keisha Watson in a touching tribute

Pupils and staff at St Aidan's Primary School have paid a tribute to Keisha Watson, who passed away in March after a brave fight with leukaemia.

St Aidan’s CE Memorial Primary School in Hartlepool has paid a beautiful tribute to brave Keisha Watson, who sadly passed away last month after losing her battle with leukaemia.

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.

Headteacher Lynn Chambers has said Keisha was “extremely loved” at the school and her loss had “traumatised” both children and staff who taught her.

The many messages in memory of St Aidan's Primary School pupil Keisha Watson.

Miss Chambers said: “Keisha’s family has been very much a part of the school for a number of years. Her older siblings have come through the school and her younger siblings are currently in the school.

"The school has been highly involved from the outset when she got her diagnosis when she was in reception class.

"We thought it was very important when she passed away that we did something to remember her.”

As part of a moving tribute, schoolchildren have put down their memories of Keisha in daffodil-shaped notes and have fastened yellow ribbons on the school fence.

St. Aidan's Primary School pupils James Myers and Eve Gascoigne, both aged 11 fasten yellow ribbons on the school fence in memory their fellow pupil Keisha Watson.

A bench will be placed in the school’s front garden to remember the courageous girl and a yellow rose bush will be planted next to it as well, with an outdoor prayer space developed nearby.

Miss Chambers has said the memorial will provide an opportunity for Keisha’s memory to live on.

"Unfortunately she was taken from us at a very young age and that traumatised both children and adults who taught her, who worked with her all this time she was with us. It’s an opportunity to remember her.

"It’s a difficult time for us all, but we are a family and a community and we will get through this.”

Keisha’s remarkable battle led to her becoming a Child of Courage at the Best of Hartlepool Awards in 2016 where she and the other winners received a standing ovation.

Hartlepool said goodbye to the courageous youngster on Friday, April 9, as people lined the streets in a socially distanced tribute before Keisha’s funeral service at Stranton Crematorium.

Retired Hartlepool nurse is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro while fighting Crohn’s di...

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.