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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Nicola Findlay

Fundraisers in Lanarkshire schoolgirl's name will help keep her memory alive

The family and friends of a much-loved Lanarkshire schoolgirl are coming together to raise funds for charity in her name.

Twelve-year-old Gemma Caffrey passed away suddenly on October 25 after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

She had been on holiday with mum and dad, Alison and Graeme, in her favourite place, Haggerston Castle, when she became unwell.

The Hamilton schoolgirl was admitted to Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle, but sadly lost her life after two weeks in the unit.

Tributes flooded in for the S2 pupil, with Blantyre's Calderside Academy head teacher, Skayne Dodds, describing her as "lovely, kind and thoughtful".

He added that her untimely death had a "profound effect on the school community and has created a great sense of loss" and that she would "always have a place in the hearts of the staff and pupils who knew her".

The fundraisers are in memory of 12-year-old Gemma Caffrey (Contributed)

Now mum and dad, Alison and Graeme, are taking on the Jog on January challenge in aid of Child Bereavement UK.

And Burnbank Equestrian Centre, where horse-daft Gemma rode, are 'riding out' at the end of the month to help the same cause.

Both have set up JustGiving pages for their challenges, with Gemma's parents receiving support from Child Bereavement UK.

To support the family search for Alison Caffrey - Jog on January 2022 on JustGiving.

Alison told Lanarkshire Live : "Gemma had a headache on and off for the preceding two weeks and we thought it was a migraine.

"Unfortunately she had a Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis and bleeding on the brain and sadly lost her life after two weeks in hospital.

"We would love as many people as possible do this with us in January to raise funds for this amazing charity.

"All we need to do is walk, jog or run 26.2 miles during the month of January. We will be meeting up with friends and family to walk or jog and talk about Gemma and her amazing but very short life.

"It's good to walk and even better to talk and share our memories of Gemma.

"She was our only child and we did everything together as a family along with her two dogs, Penny and Bolt, they were great friends."

And Burnbank Equestrian Centre decided they wanted to help raise funds in Gemma's memory, so its 12 horses, ponies along with riders will collectively cover the 26.2 miles on January 28 at Strathclyde Park.

"Gemma started riding lessons in June and she loved every minute of it," Alison added.

"This will be a very emotional day for us but a very special way to end the fundraising. Graeme and I are totally blown away by this, it's such a beautiful tribute."

The family will be there on the day to show their support to the yard.

Owner of the yard, Donna Hanlon, posted in their JustGiving page: "Gemma found her love and passion for horses and rode here often.

"We will being along all of our ponies / horses including her favourite pony, Sparky, to honour her memory."

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And did yo u know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and share.

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