FRIENDS of a teenager who died after living with leukaemia have paid tribute in the best way they now how – by raising more than £2,000 for charity.
Haaris Ansari, a year nine pupil at West Hill, passed away at the age of 13 in March.
And those closest to him, and those who knew him, showed their respects by dedicating an off-timetable day to his memory.
On Tuesday, June 16, the year nine food and nutrition group , a class of which Haaris – of Ashton-under-Lyne – was a member, baked and frosted cupcakes all morning for selling to students at social times and after school.
There was then a rota of sponsored ‘fun runs’ with students dressed up and competitions for best form and best costumes.
Boys all ran across the school and to the neighbouring Stamford Park notching up a distance in the name of charity.
And West Hill, which has 854 students and previous to this lost another student in year seven whose older brothers also attend to a brain tumour, has currently raised a total of £2,234 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
As a school, West Hill has been working in its community, with Haaris’ friendship group and with Tameside Mental Health Support Team to focus on a programme of bereavement, alongside allowing boys to grieve for their friend.
In March, they ended the spring term with a football competition between year nines, as well as a football-themed own clothes day to raise money.
Headteacher Clair Cronin said: “As headteacher, I am incredibly proud of the investment all our staff, students and community have shown in coming together through our grief.
“Our boys have been respectful and responsible throughout the unusual structure of the day as we look to make this an annual community and charity event in memory of Haaris.”