SCHOOLCHILDREN took part in a special Race for Life in honour of one of their classmates.

Every single child and member of staff at St James' CE Primary School in Daisy Hill ran in the memory of Georgia Kelly, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of nine at the end of the last year, and to raise money for research into the illness.

The race was particularly poignant as Georgia, who lived in Daisy Hill, took part in the annual Cancer Research UK event for the past three years capturing the hearts of her fellow runners.

This year will be the first time that Georgia's mum Karen Kelly will take part in the race — at Pennington Flash in Leigh — without her daughter, who had fought neuroblastoma since 2011, by her side.

Just before half-term, the school held its own Race for Life in support of Cancer Research UK.

It was organised by Year Four teacher Faye Strizaker-Bennett and Ella Roome, reception teacher, who wanted to put on an event in memory of Georgia.

They contacted Race for Life organisers, who sent the school medals and bunting.

Mrs Strizaker-Bennett said: "Every single class in school took part in the race.

"Years Four, Five and Six ran six laps which equal a mile and the others did laps which were related to the ages of the children.

"As I helped organised it, I ran with every class so did about five miles!"

She added: "The children really enjoyed it, and some said it was the first medal they had ever won."

Children were sponsored to take part in the race and will be collecting money over the half-term break.

Mrs Strizaker-Bennett said: "One child in reception has raised £100 so we are hoping to have raise quite a bit of money."