PUPILS at Lower Darwen Primary School have been praised for remembering their fellow classmate who died from cancer.

Madison Allan lost her battle with Neuroblastoma when she was aged seven and only made it into year two.

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She would have been starting secondary school this month.

Now mum Samantha Allan said she wants to thank them all for their support following a ‘bittersweet’ leaver’s assembly held for the year group who are now all ready to start a new chapter in their lives.

“I want to thank Madison’s classmates and their families who have continued to show support over the years, I can’t thank them enough,” said Samantha.

As an added tribute this year pupils received the Madison Allan Determination Award, which was won by Rebecca Smith and Joshua Atkins for their courage and determination during SATS.

The school also installed a memorial to commemorate what would have been Madison’s final year so that her memory will live on throughout the school.

“It was bittersweet to see knowing that Maddi should have been too,” added Samantha. “These children in particular have been really brave, dealing with the loss of a classmate at such a young age is something that other children across the country have never done.”

In 2011 after Madison’s death mum Samantha, along with her family set up Maddi’s Butterflies, a charity that makes the wishes come true for terminally ill children.

So far the charity has raised more than £100,000 helping 600 children from across the UK. On Saturday, September 17 a family fun day will be held at Lower Darwen Primary School between noon and 3pm.

“Every other year we return to the school and host a fundraiser. We do it at the time of Madison’s birthday and the whole community gets involved.

“The money raised helps the wishes of other cancer sufferers to come true. We have sent boys and girls off on trips up and down the country from seeing Jess Glynne to family theatre trips to London, we try and fulfill them all.”

The children’s cancer charity also funds gifts for bereaved parents.

Samantha added: “With everyone’s support we can help the families and children in their final months or years of life and Madison’s legacy will live on, too.”