In memory of Bob, the biggest smile to grace this land!

Please support us in reaching our target to purchase a memorial bench, and donate to Children’s Cancer North. Many staff are joining forces to walk from The RVI in Newcastle to The Bridges in Sunderland.

Read on to find out why!

Hi, we are a team of school staff who had the heartbreaking reality of losing a pupil to cancer at the age of 6 on the first day of the Autumn term this September!

Bob was the brightest star, within our school community, always facing each and every day with a smile and some positivity no matter what he was going through.

As a school community we were in the position of having had the wonderful opportunity to share in many elements over the years – both highs and lows, with Danielle, Ashley, Lola and Bob as we first encountered them as family when Lola, his sister started in Nursery with us way back in 2018, and since then we have also had the chance to see Bob flourish, grow and make friends over the last 3 years too, even when life was immensely cruel towards him.

Bob brought to this world – so many wonderful things that smile, that cheeky side, that loveable side! The way he could brighten all our days, no matter what!

He was such a bright beacon in all of our lives, sharing his love openly and always wearing the biggest smile, even when times were tough for him.

Children possess an aurora and innocence that brings life to the families they are a part of. Bob had a love for football, tractors and he was very hard to keep still – always taking things on at 100 miles an hour. He had an extraordinary spirit, he was so well liked by anyone who came into contact with him. He spoke of his immediate family and all the adventures they went on, together.

He oozed a genuine love for life and an infectious nature that could light up any room. It's hard to forget his beaming smile or the unstoppable energy that spending time with his friends brought him, whether it was racing around the playground or exploring on his bike.

While Bob’s life may have been short, it is filled with so many significant moments that shaped his identity. He had so much positivity – which is extraordinary after everything that he had faced throughout his treatment.

We, as a staff team are all too aware of the medical journey Bob has faced, what perseverance and stamina he has shown – he never gave up – even when treatment was immensely hard and made him so, so poorly – he would always do his best to keep that smile of his, we hear he also had the nurses and staff on wards 4 and 14 of the RVI wrapped around his fingers just like the rest of us whom he had such special connections with a special place in so many peoples hearts.

When Bob returned to school one final time just before the Summer break we tried to cram in as much for him to experience as possible to give little aspects of things he won’t have the chance to fufil: a disco, elements of prom, getting a drink from a bar, a full out fun day – bouncy castles, tattoos, face paints, tents and all we could do to ensure he was sent on his way with a heart full of love and special memories.

Bob has achieved so much in his life, the pride of seeing him as a mascot with his beloved Illan down at Leeds United, they really took both Bob and Lola under their wings and gave them some fantastic memories to hold on too – not to mention his Dad getting to see so many of his footballing idols! Truly memorable moments made both at Elland Road and the training ground. Bob, remember we will always be marching on together!

We are now wanting to ensure that some elements of Bob and his spirit live on across school, so therefore we as a team are taking part in a sponsored walk, leaving from the RVI in Newcastle and walking to The Bridges in Sunderland, why we hear you ask, well Bob spent so much of his time at the RVI, and the fantastic team from Children’s Cancer North really supported him, and The Bridges because we get to end with Paddington Bear and Bob was a real life marmalade sandwich boy!

We hope to raise enough money to purchase and install the bench and make a donation to Children’s Cancer North.

Thank you for reading and supporting us, and remember in the words of Bob ‘love is so important’