CHILDREN and staff at North Tawton Primary School celebrated the life of former pupil Sharon Grant at a special assembly recently, when they handed over a cheque for £430 to Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare.

The money will help support services for young people with cystic fibrosis. Sharon died from the condition last July.

Though she had the disease, which causes serious respiratory and digestive problems, she enjoyed life to the full and her example inspired pupils at the school to raise money for the RD and E.

The special assembly on Monday was attended by Sharon's mother Valerie.

Sharon first went to North Tawton School in 1988 and when she was 11 progressed to Okehampton College.

North Tawton head teacher Neil Hallam said: 'We remember Sharon as a wonderful young woman and the children are keen to celebrate her life by supporting services for children with cystic fibrosis at the RD and E.'

Mr Hallam said the school was especially pleased Sharon's mother was able to be there for the presentation.

The £430 raised included

proceeds from the sale of tickets for the Christmas production of 'Why the Whales Came' and money given by local townspeople when the children went carol singing.

RD and E cystic fibrosis specialist nurse Sarah Elworthy, who attended the assembly to receive the donation, said the people of North Tawton had shown 'terrific generosity'.

'The children of the community primary school deserve special praise for their fundraising.

'The money they have raised in Sharon's memory will help us improve our services for the children and young people we care for,' she said.