Cakes are being baked and coffee is being brewed by staff and pupils of a Wirral primary school who hope to raise vital funds for cancer charities this week in memory of a much-loved teacher.

Year Two teacher Sherida Cotgrave passed away last February after battling with cancer. She was only 38.

Since then, her pupils at Woodchurch CE Primary School have raised 1,800 in her memory.

Plant sales, celebration days and this Friday’s cake sale which ties in with Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event are just some of the ways children have paid tribute to PE co-ordinator Sherida.

Head of key stage two, Laura Jones, said: “We held a celebration day in April where the children could take part in a range of sporting activities to celebrate her life.

“We had circus skills, a bouncy castle, ‘diddy’ car races and dance competitions topped off with a balloon release at the end of the day, allowing the children to send a message to heaven to say goodbye.”

The school has been inundated with donations for Macmillan and Wirral Hospice St John’s and is now up to 1,800.

Ms Jones said they hope Friday’s coffee afternoon, held by Sherida’s last class who are now in Year Four will allow them to hit their 2,000 target.

She said: “They adored her and are really proud that they can raise money for the hospice that cared for her when she was so poorly.

“It’s a little positive to come from a very dark time.”