School united in grief

Schooldays can be the happiest days of our lives – butthey too can be tinged with sadness.

St Aidan’s Catholic Academy in Ashbrooke, was left in mourning earlier this year with the deaths within weeks of each other of a popular pupil and teaching assistant.

Kyle Alcock, from South Hylton, was just 17 when he died following a brave three-year fight with a brain tumour, which he battled whilst studying for his GCSEs.

Throughout it all, his close-knit group of friends from St Aidan’s paid regular visits, keeping his spirits up, playing computer games and eating McDonalds with him.

Just weeks later, the school suffered more tragedy when support assistant Sylvia Addison, 48, a mumof-two, from Hollycarrside died from lung cancer.

In a twist of fate, Sylvia’s husband Phil, 48, had treated Kyle in his job as a radiographer at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care within Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

Now a special ceremony has brought pupils, staff and grieving families together.

An eco-friendly balloon release was held as a tribute to the much-missed classmate and member of staff.

The release, held at the school, was part of its fundraising drive to boost funds for Sunderland Royal Hospital’s Cancer Patient Support Centre, through The Big Night In, an annual event which Sylvia co-founded at the school five years ago, which has raised more than £10,000.

And as well as the event the pupils held a non-uniform day, which has raised £2,500.

We’re sure the special balloon release and the fundraising efforts were a fitting tribute to a courageous youngster and caring staff member.