Blackpool students from Armfield Academy climb Snowdon in honour of beloved teacher with 'biggest heart'
“He left a huge hole at the school when he died.”
Fundraisers braved gale force winds and sleet climbing Snowdon to raise money in memory of a teacher with the "biggest heart".
Armfield Academy staff member Pat Burns died last year at the age of just 38. This week a memory garden was opened in his honour at the Lytham Road school.
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But a few days before, 16 fundraisers from the school and four members of Pat's family headed off to Wales to conquer Snowdon and raise money for servicemen and women who have lost limbs.
They braved wind, rain and icy conditions to scale the 1,085 metre peak to collect money for limbless veterans' charity BLESMA, a cause close to Mr Burns who lost his leg serving in the military.
The event organised by Rachael Spencer, who is in charge of exclusions at Armfield, has already raised £2,250 for the charity. She said: "Pat was a huge part of the school community due to his kind, caring and playful nature.”
Both students and staff were devastated to lose such a beloved member of staff and a huge character around the school.
"In his memory, it only seemed right to set ourselves a challenge that requires tenacity and resilience, two things Pat had masses of, and do it for a charity close to his heart following his time in the military and losing his leg."
Becky Preece, who is an attendance officer at the school, said: "It was a fantastic day but we experienced all the weathers and we were all exhausted by the end of it. We wanted to do something to remember Pat. He was popular with everyone, staff and pupils alike.
"He left a huge hole at the school when he died and we wanted to raise money for a charity which was close to his heart."
Colleague Josh Cawley, who worked with Mr Burns as a behaviour mentor, said: "Pat was one of us, a team leader, life and soul of the party. He was a massive presence and we miss him. Even a year later the kids still talk about him."
Donations to the BLESMA appeal can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/rachael-spencer-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL