PUPILS at a York primary school have raised more than a thousand pounds in memory of a former classmate.

The Year 6 pupils at Heworth CE Primary School have taken part in a series of fundraising events in recent months under the Archbishop of York Youth Trust’s Young Leaders Award, to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and the Cleft Lip and Palate Association.

The events have been in memory of Eve Burton, who died unexpectedly in 2012 at the age of seven, following heart surgery at Leeds General Infirmary.

Pupils have taken part in a series of events for their former classmate, who was described as a “happy little girl” with an “infectious smile and bubbly personality”. Events included a day-long skip-athon, and a ‘Marathon In May’, which saw them run two kilometres each day.

Year six teacher Mrs Uttley said:

“I am so proud of the children’s effort and dedication. Eve was a very special part of their lives and this is a wonderful tribute to her as they leave Heworth School.”

As part of the Young Leaders Awards, the pupils set themselves a target of £1,000 and had raised £900 of this target prior to Friday’s final event - a teddy bear themed day which has been planned entirely by the children, and included a number of different activities and stalls for the younger pupils.

Lorraine Atkinson, assistant head at the school, said:

“Eve would have been a member of Year Six this year, so we wanted to remember her, and the children thought this fundraising would be a good way to do that.”

Kate Denney, the strategic lead for the Young Leaders Awards, said:

“These kind-hearted and conscientious children have worked so hard for their Young Leaders Award. They have developed skills they will take into adult life with an outward looking view on the world knowing it doesn't matter how old they are they can always be the change they want to see."

The Archbishop of York Youth Trust ‘s Young Leaders Award works with more than 370 primary and secondary schools around the region, and aims to encourage almost 40,000 young people to improve the lives of their communities and other people through acts of service and volunteering.