A SCHOOL has raised money for a teaching assistant who lost her life to melanoma this year.

Longshaw Junior School in Blackburn asked the children to dress in white or something shiny last Friday to honour the memory of Lynn White, who was a teaching assistant for year six.

The school raised £750 for East Lancashire Hospice, where Miss White was cared for.

She diagnosed with melanoma in October and died on February 17.

Deputy Headteacher at the school, Jonathan Berry said: “She was the beating heart of our school.

“She changed a lot of children’s lives for the better and was a great example to all of us.

“The reason we decided to raise money is because of the care the hospice gave her.

“We were genuinely overwhelmed with the generosity of parents too because it means an awful lot to them too.”

The 52-year-old had worked for 27 years at Longshaw School, on Park Lee Road, and had many different roles including teaching assistant, cleaner, and lunchtime supervisor.

Mr Berry said: “We are absolutely delighted with the amount we raised and think it is a lasting testament to what she meant to everybody.”

Miss White was said to have loved cleaning, so much so, that the staff members thought wearing white or something shiny would honour this side to her.

Mr Berry said: “It was really sad for us but also felt like a fitting celebration of her life and what she brought to our school.

“The children all miss her too, because she saw the good in everyone and would never give up on them.”

East Lancashire Hospice posted about it on their social media.

They said: “Longshaw Junior School, Blackburn, have been raising money for East Lancashire Hospice in memory of a loved staff member, Miss White.

“The school held a non-uniform day, with children wearing something shiny as Miss White was known for her shiny clean home.

“The children brought in donations to raise the money for the local hospice and raised an incredible £750.00.”

One of the students, Lexie Cook asked family members for donations towards the school’s total and raised over £100 herself.

The school are also planning to build a reading lodge for children to read quietly and reflect at, which will also be in memory of Miss White.

In the summer, Mr Berry hopes the school will be able to organise a summer event to honour the teacher.