THE Ross High School community gathered to remember pupil Sean Jardine, who passed away in August.

Sixth-year pupils Ailsa Peel and Caitlyn Vanbeck were at the forefront of the memorial day.

The school’s sixth-year leadership team organised a staff versus pupils football match in memory of Sean, who lost his battle with leukemia during the summer.

The 17-year-old was a keen footballer, and the pupils felt that a memorial match was a fitting tribute to their late classmate.

The whole school participated in a dress-down day on Wednesday, October 22, with all the money raised going towards ward two at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, where Sean had undergone much of his treatment.

And Sean’s mum Karen Herd joined the packed playing fields to watch the match, which was preceeded by a speech from headteacher Paul Reynolds, and a minute’s applause in memory of the youngster.

Karen wants to raise money for the ward where Sean was nursed through his treatment, having initially been diagnosed as a 14-year-old.

She told the Courier: “When the leukemia came back this year, [Sean] was given the choice over whether he wanted to go to the Western [General Hospital] or remain at the Sick Kids.

“He chose to stay because he knew all the staff there and they all loved him.

“He had the type of personality where you just couldn’t be angry at him for long and he had a real presence about him.

“We were absolutely astounded by the number of his friends that were at his funeral, and it was incredible to hear that they had approached the headteacher about doing something in his memory, and to raise money.” And 16-year-old Caitlin, who, together with Ailsa, 17, organised the event, told the Courier it was a fitting tribute to their classmate.

Caitlin said: “We are the house captains for Winton and we wanted to put something on so the whole school could remember him.

“We spoke to the headteacher, who said they’d be having a teachers vs pupils match, so we decided that was the best way.” They were joined by Sean’s family, including 19-year-old brother Brandon, and friends at the school playing fields for the match. Headteacher Mr Reynolds paid tribute to Sean, before taking his place among the teachers’ side.

And the game itself was a fascinating contest, fitting as a tribute to lifelong Hearts fan Sean, and Mr Reynolds put the teachers side ahead early on.

It seemed they would end victorious, but Ian Highley, one of Sean’s best friends, equalised as the match ended 2-2.

And earlier this week, Karen visited the school to collect a cheque for £1,365.