Youngsters at a north-east primary school have raised nearly £14,000 for the charity that supported their head teacher through her cancer battle.
Caroline Thomson was the “devoted” head of Cornhill Primary School in Aberdeen, and spent her entire career there, with her family describing it as her “third child”.
The brave 38-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2014, continued working throughout her treatment and it was not until the disease spread to her brain that she finally took time off.
The mother-of-two, of Portlethen, died earlier this year.
In tribute to her, staff and pupils from her school organised a sponsored walk to raise money for Clan – which was held the day before her 39th birthday this month.
And in another poignant touch, each class released a single red balloon as they set off for Westburn Park.
The youngsters, who all donned something in Mrs Thomson’s favourite colour red – from gloves and pyjamas to lipstick and hair spray – were met by Clan’s mascot Clancy, and Dons mascot Angus the Bull as they made their way down to the park and back.
Now the school has revealed their efforts raised a total of £13,838.50 for the charity.
Acting head teacher Mark Evans said the school had been “stunned” when they realised how much they had collected.
And Mrs Thomson’s family described it as a “phenomenal total, well beyond anyone’s logical aspirations”.
Mrs Thomson’s husband David previously described her as “good to the core” and paid tribute to her philosophical approach to her illness.
Instead of dwelling on what was happening to her, she threw herself into making memories with her two sons, Callum, 12, and Robbie, nine, and spending time with those closest to her.
