A SCHOOL has paid a touching tribute to a young pupil who lost her battle with leukaemia earlier this year.

Staff and pupils raised money to put a bench at Drove School to permanently remind them of Alia Viegas, who died aged just seven.

The popular youngster inspired many of those who were in her class to do something to remember her by and the bench was unveiled on Friday.

Helen Swanson, headteacher at Drove School, said: “It was a very poignant day, especially with all of Alia’s family present.

“Alia had been with the school since nursery and had some very close friends.

“When she was ill she missed quite a bit of school but when Alia was in she always took part enthusiastically in her lessons.

“She loved coming into school when she could.

“She was a fighter and never let her illness stop her. Alia is greatly missed by all her friends and the staff at Drove.

“This is why we wanted to do something. The bench will always be there to remind everyone of what a special girl she was so that her memory never fades.

“Her family will also be welcome at the school.”

The bench was officially unveiled with Alia’s family in attendance, as well as a nurse who helped Alia, and Richard Crowley, patron of children’s cancer and leukaemia charity CALM. As her family is Catholic, the bench was also blessed by Canon John Cunningham.

A series of special events were held to raise money for the bench as well as for local children’s leukaemia charity CALM.

“It was actually the idea of the other pupils in her year to do something,” said Karen.

“She was mad about princesses and pink so everyone dressed up, even the teachers. Some of them even came in wearing wedding dresses.

“Everyone paid to take part and we raised £412. Most of that went towards the bench and then we want to put some pink flowers in our garden. We’ll put the rest towards that.

“We also held a cake sale and raised another £100 which we have donated to CALM.

“It is the 30th anniversary of the charity this year so we have been supporting it with a number of other fundraising events.”

  • To find out more about CALM and how to donate, call 01793 813025 or visit calmcharity.org.