02
Apr
Harrogate school to open memorial garden for former pupil
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A memorial garden is set to open at a Harrogate school in memory of a former pupil.
Arabella Sturgeon, 7, died on February 22 at Leeds General Infirmary after complications from a stem cell transplant.
In her memory, Brackenfield School, where Arabella was a former pupil, will open a memorial garden tomorrow (April 3).
Pupils from the school will also perform a song written in her memory.
Natalie Sadler, Arabella’s mum, told the Stray Ferret that despite the loss of Arabella, there had been a “positive ripple effect”.
She said:
It's incredibly touching and we are really grateful to the school. They came to us with the idea and it is comforting. I cannot thank the school enough for their support.
The garden, which will be near the playground, will include a mural dedicated to Arabella.
Ms Sadler added that staff at Leeds General Infirmary had also placed on their noticeboard “be more Arabella” — a phrase used in her eulogy.
The phrase is complimented with a unicorn and Arabella’s initials.
The unicorn on the LGI staff noticeboard.
Ms Sadler described her daughter as kind, but fierce "in the best possible way".
She said:
She was quite simply unapologetically Arabella and we all loved her fiercely for it. Our lives will never be the same, but they are so much richer for her having been part of them. She taught me more in her seven years than I could possibly have imagined and reminded me who I am and for that I will be eternally grateful for our AB.
A fundraiser has also been set up in her memory and has so far raised more than £12,000.
The fundraiser is raising money for Cure Leukaemia, a charity which funds research into potential treatment for blood cancer patients. You can donate here.
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