July has been a special month for a school in Hitchin, as staff and pupils paid tribute to a former governor who passed away from cancer.

The Comet: William Ransom head teacher Mary Driver took part in their very own Race For LifeWilliam Ransom head teacher Mary Driver took part in their very own Race For Life (Image: Archant)

William Ransom Primary School remembered former governor Tracy Ryan – who also attended the Stuart Drive establishment as a child – by staging their own Race for Life.

Organised by the school council, students and staff ran the one kilometre course around the school field, raising around £750 for Cancer Research UK to pay tribute to much-loved Tracy.

Maggie Hackney and Sally Thompsett led the warm-up while Tracy’s friends and family were present at the race, with her sons, Spencer and Harrison Ryan, handing out medals to those who took part – including headteacher Mary Driver.

She told the Comet: “Tracy was one of the original pupils when the school opened in 1972. She went on to be a parent of the school and then a governor before she sadly passed away earlier this year.

“When we got the information about Race for Life in schools we knew we had to do it. The parents were really supportive of it and everyone at the school, the children, the teachers and all the staff jumped in head first and got involved.

“Some ran the course, some walked but that doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that everyone got involved and it was great to see.

“Maggie Hackney who’s a real fitness guru and well known in the local area came and did the warm up. We also had Tracy’s family and friends there, as well as her two sons who handed out medals – which was just brilliant.

“What really hit me was the children running with messages on their back saying they were running for their grandparents or running for Tracy. That was emotional but heart-warming.

“It was an emotional day but also a really positive one.”