Scarborough girl who died of brain tumour remembered by school
A Scarborough girl, 9, who died of a brain tumour is being remembered by classmates with a fundraiser to support Brain Tumour Research charity.
Children from a Scarborough primary school are remembering a much-loved classmate, who died from a brain tumour last month, by fundraising to help find a cure for the disease.
Pupils and staff at Friarage Community Primary School are supporting the national charity Brain Tumour Research, by holding a Wear A Hat Day event today (Friday 26th March).
It is after their year 5 pupil, Jessica Saye, lost her life to a high-grade glioma on 15th February 2021. She left behind her mum Kelly Rogers, dad, Alan Rogers, and sister Daisy, seven. Daisy is in year 3 at the school the girls attended together.
Jessica’s tumour was diagnosed in March 2019, after she suffered a stroke and seizures.
She underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy but in January this year she and her family were given the news that the disease was progressing and no further treatment options were available.
Headteacher Cheryl Cappleman, said:
“After being told Jessica’s tumour was no longer treatable, her family set about fulfilling her wishes before she died. Before her passing, she was treated to a horse and carriage ride with her family, dressed as a beautiful princess. She also received video messages from two of her favourite popstars, Ed Sheeran and Jess Glynne.”
As well as taking part in Wear A Hat Day, the school will be placing a ‘buddy bench’ in the playground in Jessica’s memory and planting a pink rosebush. They will also be introducing an annual award in her name; the ‘Jessica’s Kindness Award’.
Cheryl added:
“Jessica was a bright, cheerful and extremely caring young girl, who was always thinking of others. She was everyone’s friend, including both pupils and teachers. She always had a kind word for everyone, made friends with new children, so they were not alone and is fondly remembered for always complimenting staff on their choice of outfits – she would even notice if you had a new pair of shoes on.
“She loved collecting and making interesting, pretty things; her school drawer was always full of ‘treasures’, as she would call them. She was a cherished member of the school community and is greatly missed by everyone.”
Today, staff at Friarage Primary Community School will be raising money by selling cakes in the staffroom. As well as being asked to come into school wearing their favourite hat and making a donation, the children will also have the option to wear pink – Jessica’s favourite colour. Many of the mourners who paid their respects on the day of her funeral also dressed in pink, as they lined the streets to say their final goodbyes to the youngster, who was from the Old Town. A horse-drawn carriage carried her pink coffin from the funeral service at St Mary’s Church in Scarborough.
Cheryl Cappleman said:
“We’re a close-knit school with 339 pupils and we just wanted to do something to show our support. Only 30 people were able to attend her funeral, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, so many of us paid our respects by watching the service online and by safely lining the streets alongside other mourners. Taking part in this important fundraiser is one of the many ways in which we will honour Jessica’s life and help prevent other families from going through the same heart-break.”
Now in its 12th year, Wear A Hat Day has raised more than £2 million to help fund the fight against the disease. It is one of the UK’s biggest and best-loved brain tumour research awareness and fundraising days. This year, Brain Tumour Research is celebrating key workers, like Cheryl and her colleagues, who have played a pivotal role throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The charity’s marketing imagery features key worker families who, despite having their own devastating brain tumour stories, are determined to show the joy and positivity that is being involved in Wear A Hat Day. They’ve also developed six new pin badges representing key workers’ hats.
The charity says brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK singularly focused on finding a cure for brain tumours through campaigning for an increase in the national investment into research to £35 million per year. It is also fundraising to create a sustainable network of brain tumour research centres in the UK.
Matthew Price, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said:
“We were so sorry to learn about Jessica’s passing and our hearts go out to Jessica’s family and friends and all those who loved and cared for her. It’s wonderful that her school is taking part in Wear A Hat Day in honour of Jessica and we thank them sincerely for their support.
“Our supporters’ dedication in these unprecedented times is really touching and inspiring and we can’t wait to join them in putting on our hats, having some fun and raising money to fund sustainable research that will bring us closer to a cure for brain tumours.
“Unlike many other cancers, brain tumours are indiscriminate. They can affect anyone at any time. Too little is known about the causes and that is why increased investment in research is vital if we are to improve outcomes for patients and, ultimately, find a cure.”
Whilst COVID-19 restrictions still apply, the charity is politely reminding supporters to observe safety measures when planning their events. Families, friends, workplaces and schools can however, still come together safely, virtually or in-person where restrictions allow, to raise money for this vital cause.
To make a donation via Friarage Community Primary School’s JustGiving page, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/friarage
You can register to take part at www.wearahatday.org #WearAHatDay