Ripon school raises £450 in memory of pupil killed in A61 crash

Holy Trinity Church of England School in Ripon raised £450 at an Elf Day held in memory of a former pupil.

Six-year-old Ihor Bartieniev, who was Ukrainian, died as a result of a collision on the A61 at South Stainley between Ripon and Harrogate in September.

Ihor’s mother Daria Bartienieva, 35, and stepsister Anastasiia Bartienieva, 15, were also killed in the crash.

To commemorate his life, the school held an elf-themed day last Friday.

Pupils wore elf hats and costumes, or green and red non-uniform clothing, and brought in donations to fund a story-telling chair in Ihor’s memory.

Deputy headteacher Amanda Bell-Walker said:

“Friday, December 1 was a day of both joy and remembrance for the Holy Trinity community as we came together to celebrate the life of Ihor.

“The children and staff looked wonderful, dressed in an array of elf-themed costumes as they all participated in activities arranged and organised by the Year 6 pupils.

“The aim of the day was one of fun, joy and fond memories.”

The school hopes the story-telling chair will be enjoyed by pupils and keep Ihor’s memory alive.

His host family were also in attendance on the day and shared memories of the young boy’s life, Ms Bell-Walker added.

“The chair will move up through school with Ihor’s peers as a fond memory of him as an inquisitive and much-loved part of the Holy Trinity family.”

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