STAFF and pupils from a Wirral school have taken part in a charity walk in memory of a 'much missed colleague and friend'.

The team from Riverside Primary in Wallasey took part in the Wirral Coastal Walk on June 20. The 20-mile route took them from New Brighton and ending in Thurstaston.

Their walk raised £2,303.83 for Maggie's Wirral - a charity supporting people living with cancer -and was in memory of Debbie Devine, who died from the disease.

Staff members, family and friends of the school helped to raise this fantastic amount.

Since 1987, the Wirral Coastal Walk has raised thousands of pounds for local charities and community groups.

The team from Riverside Primary during Wirral Coastal Walk in aid of Maggie’sThe team from Riverside Primary during Wirral Coastal Walk in aid of Maggie’s (Image: Maggie's) Anna Charles from Riverside Primary School said: "’Myself and the team are absolutely thrilled to have raised such an amazing amount for Maggie's, a charity that meant so much to Debbie.’

Built in the grounds of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Maggie’s is described as a warm and welcoming place, with qualified professionals on hand to offer an evidence-based core programme of support that has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing.

The team from Riverside Primary at end of Wirral Coastal Walk in aid of Maggie’sThe team from Riverside Primary at end of Wirral Coastal Walk in aid of Maggie’s (Image: Maggie's) Debbie’s sister Karen Gordon said: "Maggie's brought Debbie comfort, she liked the peace and calm atmosphere.

"The wonderful volunteers who serve tea, coffee and cakes were so helpful.

"The staff who provided benefits advice and helped fill vitals forms in are just brilliant, especially when you’re in depths of despair that’s the last thing you want to do.

"Debbie was a ray of sunshine, funny, energetic, selfless, sun worshiper and strong, so much so telling all the family what we've to do! right to the very end. In her words, ‘Live your best life!’.

"She would help anybody, especially children. Debbie fostered 3 boys’ long term and others in between.

"She was a wife, a mother, sister, and a good friend.

"She had this sparkle, and everyone loved being in her presence Debbie is so dearly missed." 

Maggie’s Wirral relies on voluntary donations to support and grow and develop the evidence based, high quality programme of support.

The charity’s aim is to make the biggest difference possible to people living with cancer and their family and friends.

The team from Riverside Primary present a cheque to Maggie's staff for amount raised during Wirral Coastal Walk The team from Riverside Primary present a cheque to Maggie's staff for amount raised during Wirral Coastal Walk (Image: Maggie's) Kathy Wright, centre head at Maggie's said: "We are so incredibly grateful to everyone at Riverside Primary school for their incredible support.

"We are currently supporting 78% of the local population of new people diagnosed with cancer, along with people currently living with and beyond cancer.

"This would not be possible without the support from people like the team at Riverside Primary.

"Please know if you or anyone you know needs our support, please just drop in, there is no appointment or referral required."