Schools host special tributes to 'talented' Kilmarnock teacher who passed away

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An Ayrshire primary teacher has paid tribute to her best friend and colleague by competing in the London marathon and organising fun runs at schools.Annanhill Primary teacher Gillian Todd organised events in honour of her best friend and Onthank Primary teacher, Cassie McPhail, who tragically passed away in August 2022 following a five-year battle with cancer.Gillian organised three running marathons including Annanhill Primary and Onthank Primary.

The last fundraiser took place at Gargieston Primary, the school Cassie’s son, Finlay, and daughter, Beth, attend alongside her niece and nephew.Gillian said: "It was a lovely day.

All the kids and staff at Gargieston Primary had a great time."Finlay and Beth took part and were the first ones to start the races.

They were smiling and just happy to celebrate their mum."Cassie's mum Celia and younger sister Johanna also came to support the event, it was amazing to have them there."The final sum from the fundraiser at Gargieston will be calculated over the weekend and split between Ayrshire Hospice in memory of Cassie and with brave three-year-old Ava Bolton who is battling stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma.Gillian also completed the full 26.2 miles at the London Marathon earlier in April where she raised almost £5,000 for Cancer Research UK after Cassie and her other friend from university Emma Morgan passed away from cancer.Gillian met Cassie and Emma at the University of Paisley, Craigie Campus in Ayr where their friendship group of 5 have studied primary teaching.Gillian said: “Those five young girls had planned a big trip in 2023 to celebrate everyone having turned 40 years old but cancer took this opportunity.