School to open playground in girl's memory
Family handoutA playground in memory of a nine-year-old girl who died of cancer could be open in time to mark the first anniversary of her death.
Arabella Kelly died of an inoperable brain tumour last April and her friends and teachers at Beckstone Primary raised almost £40,000 for the adventure play park to be built next to the school in Harrington, Workington, Cumbria.
It would feature a colourful design including rainbows and butterflies to remember the outdoor and nature loving girl.
"It's the sort of thing she would absolutely loved to have been part of," headteacher David Warbrick said.
"She was so popular, she had a wicked sense of humour which she made me laugh with every single day," he said.
Arabella's friends, Addisyn and Beau, said seeing butterflies out on walks reminded them of her.
Ollie Rawlinson/BBC"It's really nice how they're doing a playground in memory of her, because I don't think other schools would do that," Addisyn said.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria's Mike Zeller, Arabella's mum Jessica Kelly said the family were touched by the school's plans.
"It means the world to us, to know that she made such an impact at the school and [them] wanting to honour her is incredibly special," she said.
She said Arabella "made everyone feel important and loved" and the play park's design with rainbows and butterflies reflected the youngster's personality.
"They just feel so fitting, rainbows are full of colour and hope, bright, impossible to ignore, just like she was," she said.
"And butterflies, they are gentle and strong, delicate but resilient - that's who she was."
The school has applied to Cumberland Council for permission to build the memorial playground with a decision expected to be made soon.
