School bus bought in memory of late teacher stolen

A school bus bought and named in honour of a teacher who died of cancer has been stolen.

It was taken from the staff car park of St John Fisher RC Primary School in Tameside, the school said.

It was named after its former deputy head teacher Charlotte Conlon, who died aged 32 in 2016.

The school has now launched a fundraiser to replace what it calls Charlotte's bus.

The bus was bought with money from Charlotte's estate by her parents Amanda and Dennis in 2017.

It had been used by the school for regular trips and to take donations to a local foodbank.

Last summer, the school used it to take a group of children to the north-east of England after they qualified for the final of a football tournament.

"That was one of the things she wanted the children to be able to have: fun experiences in terms of their learning outside of the school environment," head teacher Mandy Harris said.

Ms Harris said the school is now having to pay for coaches to take children swimming and relying on parents to give lifts for school trips.

A number of planned excursions have had to be postponed.

Ms Harris said it would cost about £25,000 to replace the bus, with about £10,000 to come from insurance.

It is hoped fundraising - including baking cakes, selling bracelets and organising sponsored runs - will cover the remainder.

Ms Harris added: "The family bought the minibus in her memory. It has lots of sentimental value to the school community.

"We've celebrated her memory in school many times."