A rugby event has been held in memory a ‘brave and brilliant’ 11-year-old player, who died in August.
Elizabeth Ransom, a pupil at St Vincent De Paul Catholic Primary School in Stevenage, was diagnosed with acute myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle - after collapsing unexpectedly while out playing with her friends during the summer.
A few weeks later, in August, she collapsed again while on holiday with her family and died.
Her sister Alice, 14, said: “Elizabeth, known to us as ‘Lilibet’, was the most wonderful, talented, generous young girl you could ever meet.
“She had a passion for dance, football, netball and many other sports in which she played with her wonderful friends.
“This amazing young girl had a heart of gold and always had her family and friends’ best interests at heart.
“Elizabeth was such a pleasure to be around because her smile could light up a whole room.
“She impacted every person she touched in her short, yet wonderful life.
“Elizabeth was a happy, sporty, loved young girl. She was brilliant. She was brave.”
Last Wednesday, Stevenage Town Rugby Club, with the help of the Stevenage Sporting Futures Team, held the annual World Tag Rugby Festival at the town’s King George V Playing Fields for 250 Year 5 and 6 pupils from 18 schools.
Each of the schools taking part represented a country, with Stevenage’s Giles Junior School winning the final.
The event was held in memory of Elizabeth, whose father Chris is one of the club’s former captains.
Elizabeth had been part of the festival last year, playing for the winning St Vincent de Paul team, and went on to represent Stevenage in the Herts Youth Games earlier this summer.
The club’s chairman, Steve Mudd, said: “Elizabeth was always full of life and loved her sport, but was always a kind, considerate and warm-hearted girl.” The Lilibet Ransom Memorial Award, for fair play, was presented to Great Ashby’s Round Diamond Primary School by Chris and his family.
To make a donation to Great Ormond Street Hospital in memory of Elizabeth, visit www.lilibet.muchloved.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here