Hundreds of pupils pay tribute to former teacher Sue
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren have joined together to pay tribute to their former teacher by raising thousands of pounds in her memory.
Around 450 pupils and staff from Baden Powell School in Cardiff formed a giant circle around their school building and held a sponsored rugby ball pass.
They wanted to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre as it had treated their former teacher Sue Barter.
Mrs Barter, who had been a reception teacher at the school, died last month aged 43 surrounded by her family after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Her family issued a heartbreaking tribute to her.
They said: “She was a beautiful, funny, kind and caring woman who lit up a room with her infectious smile.
“She was amazing in so many ways – as a friend, daughter, wife and most importantly a mother to her wonderful daughter Millie.
“Sue was such an inspirational woman who was so passionate and giving to others. She was kind-hearted, caring and fiercely loyal.
“Sue had a unique energy and ability to reach out which meant that she made friends far and wide.
“She taught so many children through the years and shared her love for music through her teaching of the piano.
“She was always the first to belt out a tune with her beautiful voice and gave up so much of her time to support the youth at Old Pens rugby club.”
She was chairwoman of the junior and mini section of Old Penarthians RFC.
Wales and British and Irish Lions star Jamie Roberts was among those to pay tribute to Sue, tweeting “Sue was so nice to me during my time at Cardiff Blues and beyond. I’m incredibly sorry for your loss.”
In a tribute after her death, Old Penarthians club paid tribute calling her a “remarkable wife, mother, daughter and friend”.
“Sue threw herself wholeheartedly into the club as she was not only mini and junior chairperson, she was the under-sixes coach and social club committee person. Coach Sue will be missed by so many people”.
A fundraising page for her family has been set up to help them and it has already raised more than £3,000.
Her former colleagues and pupils were devastated when they heard of her death. Head teacher Jason Clark said they knew they wanted to do something in her memory.
“The teachers were devastated at the news as were the children. We thought we wanted to do something to help.
“Her husband posted details about a charity walk for Velindre so we thought it would be nice for us to do a charity event.
“She was so involved in rugby we thought we would do something with a rugby theme.”
The school has raised more than £4,000 for children’s cancer charity Latch.
To donate to the family visit www. gofundme.com/the-barter-family
On February 2 next year the school will raise money again for Velindre by taking part in a Wales-wide event to wear it red. Schools, businesses and workplaces are being asked to wear red for the day and donate £1 to try raise £100,000.
The event is on the eve of the first Six Nations game.
Wear Red for Wales and Velindre is backed by WalesOnline.