THE parents of a brave schoolgirl who died following a battle with a brain tumour, waved off teachers from her school as they took part in a charity walk in her honour.

Gary and Bernadette Lightbown said they “incredibly touched” by the gesture after 16 teachers took part in the 11-mile walk from Ladybridge High School, Deane, to Derian Children’s Hospice, in Chorley, on Saturday.

Their daughter, Abigail, was just 11 when she died at the hospice, in November.

Abigail had only managed nine days at secondary school, but in that time she made an impact on staff and pupils and just a week after she died plans were already under way to do something in her memory.

After hearing Derian House wanted plastic bottle tops as part of their fundraising, the school collected more than 3,000 and teachers decided to walk with them to the hospice to raise more money.

Fifteen teachers and support staff from Ladybridge High School took part in the event, together with Soraya Entwistle, a teaching assistant from Heathfield Primary School, who worked closely with Abigail during her time at the school.

Teacher Becky Wood organised the walk and said they were considering making it an annual event.

She added: “Abigail was a really inspirational girl, she never complained and she just got on with it. We went to Derian House and it is a fantastic place.”

Children at the school have been donating their pocket money and although money raised is still being counted it is thought to be more than £400.

Mr Lightbown, aged 45, of Longfield Road, Daubhill, said: “We were over the moon when we heard what they wanted to do.

“Both schools have been absolutely brilliant. Ladybridge only knew Abigail for a very short time but we have been made to feel throughout the whole process like Abigail has been there for years. We are really touched by it. The school have taken Abigail to their hearts.”