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Harrogate school opens memorial garden for former pupil

Wednesday, 9 April 2025 at 08:21

Brackenfield School has opened a memorial garden in memory of Arabella (right).

A Harrogate primary school has officially opened a memorial garden in honour of a former pupil.

Brackenfield School opened the space in memory of Arabella Sturgeon, who died in February from complications related to a stem cell transplant.

Natalie Sadler, Arabella's mum, said she wanted the space to be somewhere people "come and sit and be quiet or do some crafting or just remember Arabella".

Speaking about her daughter, Natalie said:

"She would dance like no one was watching. She was there for her friends. She was kind.

"She was unapologetically Arabella."

The garden was officially opened last Thursday (3rd April) by Brackenfield Headteacher Joe Masterson.

He said:

"Although today was tinged with sadness there was also a lot of happiness."

Following Arabella’s death, Natalie was able to raise £13,000 for charity Cure Leukaemia.

The funding will go towards world-first trials targeted at blood cancer in children.

Gemma Hathaway from Cure Leukaemia said:

"Blood cancer actually isn't rare in children, four children a day are diagnosed with blood cancer."

It will also go towards the launch of the charity's ATICUS (Accelerating Trials in Children Undergoing Stem Cell Transplant) Network in Leeds.

The network connects children with blood cancer across the UK with leading children's hospitals.

LISTEN: Helen Leaf, the Head of Music and Performing Arts at Brackenfield, wrote and recorded a song for the garden opening, titled 'A Song for Arabella':

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