Staff from St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School partnered with Our Hospitals Charity, the fundraising arm of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to honour Mr. Peacock’s incredible legacy whilst fundraising for a bladder scanner.
The sports day, which took place on Monday 26 June, also saw Dave’s daughter Claire Richardson, who now works as a teaching assistant at the same school, join the staff and pupils in raising funds in her father’s memory.
She said: “I feel honoured to raise money for a new bladder scanner as it was my dad’s last wish to enhance medical facilities and improve the hospital experience of fellow cancer patients at the James Cook Hospital.”
Dave, who was from Redcar, joined the school as a sports coach in 2013, after serving in Cleveland Police for more than thirty years.
He was being treated for bowel cancer in the James Cook Hospital when he passed away last year in October.
Staff and pupils remember Mr Peacock
Paul Conway, executive head teacher said: “Dave was an inspirational and kind-hearted human being who we try to emulate every day in our lives as he helps us to bring the best person within ourselves.”
Students participated in a variety of sports activities that included relays, egg and spoon races, shot put throw and many more while parents and families cheered on.
Teachers carried fundraising buckets throughout the day and raised more than £340 for the extra hospital equipment.
Many pupils remembered Dave as a kind and loving coach who always went above and beyond for them.
Year 4 pupil, Esther recalled Mr Peacock as a ‘nice teacher who always helped her in any sports-related issues’.
Sitting right next to Esther was her friend and Mr Peacock’s former student, Phoebe.
She said:
“Whenever Mr Peacock used to enter my classroom, it was filled with happiness.”
Reggie and Verity also fondly remembered their sports coach as a mentor who helped them achieve their goals and someone who used to tell interesting stories.
The sports day was concluded with a final race that included the entire cohort of year 3 to year 6 pupils participating in a resounding relay.
Sarah Smith, class teacher and PE lead said: “The sports day event was for our children to remember our dearest Dave and try to instil his values in our daily lives.”
Lisa Meehan, from Our Hospitals Charity added: “We are so grateful to the staff, pupils and parents who gave so generously in memory of Dave.
“We know how much he was loved by everyone at St Bernadette’s. This equipment will benefit so many patients attending for radiotherapy.”