After 18 months of fund-raising by friends and family, a memorial bench has been installed in the name of Rhya Story, of Greenhead, who died in October 2015.
With a magnolia tree planted nearby, close friends of Rhya wanted to create a space at the school where people could reminisce fondly about the football-mad teenager.
PE teacher Liz Hicks said: “The Rev. Benjamin Carter, a vicar in Haydon Bridge who has supported us all following Rhya’s death, met with some of my form group and asked them what they wanted the bench to be.
“The answer came straight back that they wanted it to be a place where they could remember Rhya, and a place of happiness where people laughed, smiled and had fun.
“I think the bench is also a symbol of all we have achieved over the past 18 months, as so many good things have happened in that time, with Rhya at the centre of all of them.”
Schoolchildren worked closely with local craftsman Bill Pierce on the design of the bench, and Mr Carter led a memorial ceremony to unveil the finished product.
The project was funded by the school’s fund-raising efforts which have exceeded £4,500, with a range of charities benefiting.
Following the unveiling of the bench, friends of Rhya played a mixed sex football game, where a further £210 was raised for Tynedale Hospice at Home.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here