Teachers and children at a Sudbury primary school are determined that the memory of their beloved friend and classmate, who died at seven, will live on.
Later in the month, the children at Woodhall Primary School will be donning their brightest clothes and making paper chains, before setting off on a sponsored walk around their playground.
The following day, their teachers will be setting off on a 10-kilometre sponsored walk, with the staff determined to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH).
The charity cared for Stephen Pinder, a much-loved friend and Year 3 pupil at the school, who died last year from an aggressive brain tumour, aged seven.
“He was one of a kind,” said Stephen’s mother, Carly Shelby. “He loved hugs – he could knock you off your feet with the strength of his hugs.
“Everyone he met was his friend. He could be playing at the park and meet someone for just five minutes, and he would say, That’s my friend.”
Ms Shelby explained that Stephen was taken to West Suffolk Hospital in August, when he developed a twitch in his face and began slurring his words.
There, doctors discovered a lesion on Stephen’s brain. That night, he was transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital. At first, it was thought that the tumour was benign, but further tests showed that Stephen had a high-grade glioma.
When Stephen began slurring his speech again, Ms Shelby said that her motherly instincts told her that something was very badly wrong.
After Stephen’s second surgery, she was told that her son had just three to four months to live.
“It went by so quickly,” said Ms Shelby.
Rather than remain in hospital, Stephen decided to come home. For a time, he was able to continue going to Woodhall Primary, which his twin brother Owen and older brother Jason still attend.
Stephen loved school, said his mother. Sometimes, she would wake up at 3am or 4am, and find that Stephen was already dressed in his uniform, ready to go.
Stephen’s teachers did everything they could to help him attend school for as long as possible. When he became too unwell, they continued to visit him multiple times each week, or simply sending messages to ask how things were.
Nurses from EACH visited every day to make Stephen as comfortable as possible. When they realised that Stephen would not make it to his birthday, EACH threw him an early birthday party, so he could celebrate with his family.
Ms Shelby had also contacted Suffolk Constabulary after Stephen’s diagnosis, for he had always wanted to become a police officer.
When they heard his story, the police invited Stephen down to the Sudbury station, making him a ‘police officer’ for the day.
Stephen passed away on November 15, aged seven.
On February 28, his schoolfriends will come together to celebrate his memory with their sponsored walk, with his teachers doing the same on March 1.
Miss Harriet French, on behalf of the staff and students at Woodhall Primary School who knew and loved Stephen, said: “Stephen was a smiley, happy little boy. His smile illuminated the room he walked in, and he loved a cuddle.
“He always wanted to chat and loved being in school, even when he was most poorly. He loved minions and bright colours. He was known by all and loved by all.
“We all miss him lots and want to make sure he is not forgotten. We hope to raise as much money as possible to help other families in similar situations.”
To donate to the school’s fundraiser in memory of Stephen, visit: stephen-pinder.muchloved.com
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