First picture of 'happy and vibrant' girl, 11, who died after becoming unwell at school

A "happy and vibrant" girl who died after becoming unwell at school has been pictured for the first time.

Julia Blackham, 11, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, died suddenly last week.

Police and ambulance services attended Marriotts School at around 1.45pm on April 29 and paramedics rushed the girl into care.

Despite their best efforts, the girl sadly passed away.

Floral tributes, messages and personal gifts have now been laid at the entrance to the school to remember Julia, Herts Live reports.

In a touching tribute, a spokesperson from the school said: "This tragic loss has left our whole school community devastated and in shock, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Julia’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

"The school was closed on Friday (April 30) and staff have worked tirelessly across the weekend to ensure that appropriate support is in place to help both students and staff come to terms with their terrible loss.

A condolence room has been set up at the school (hertfordshiremercury.co.uk)

"Julia was a happy and vibrant member of our school community and her family said that she loved coming to school and being part of the Marriotts family. School was her 'happy place'.

"Julia loved her family, friends, rainbows, unicorns, cats and the colour pink. Rainbows are a symbol of hope and solidarity, and as a school we are trying to reflect this."

The school added: "Julia’s family visited the school on Friday to thank the school for everything staff had done to help Julia.

"Her family are united and dignified in their grief and are taking great comfort from looking at the many tributes and reading the lovely messages that have been left."

Headteacher Bethany Honnor said: “Julia’s family said how lucky we are to have such amazing students and staff and that I should be proud of them all, which I am.

"It was very, very brave of Julia’s family to come into school and our thoughts are with them all.”

The school said their next newsletter will be dedicated to Julia and will contain memories, poems and pictures from students and staff.

It added: "Julia’s family and all at Marriotts would like to thank the Stevenage community for all their kind words of support, condolence, the many tributes left at the school and for their donations."

A GoFundMe page has been set-up by a relative to help Julia's family with the funeral costs and has already gathered over £22,900 in donations.

To donate, click here.