Memorial plaque for tragic student

Oct 17 2007 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

A MOVING memorial tribute is to be paid to a Birmingham schoolgirl who died suddenly while out walking her pet dog.

Emily Harrison, described as a "little treasure" by her headteacher at The Arthur Terry School in Sutton Coldfield, is to have both a tree planted and a plaque unveiled in her memory.

It will take place just before a celebration of 16-year-old Emily's short life, with music, drama and readings against a backdrop of the Sutton youngster's own artwork.

Arthur Terry headteacher Christopher Stone said the event would be held in about six month's time.

And he added that all money raised from the event will go to the Rondevlei school in South Africa, which Emily visited in the summer as part of a school expedition.

Mr Stone said: "This will be a celebration of Emily's life, and it is entirely appropriate that money raised from it will go to the school in Rondevlei which we at Arthur Terry support.

"The school has about 48 children, the majority of whom are orphans, and it was something very dear to Emily's heart.

"She visited South Africa in the summer and was planning to go back to do more work."

The plaque is due to sit next to the tree, which will be planted alongside a pond in the school grounds at Arthur Terry.

Emily collapsed while chasing after her young spaniel in a park near her home, and died in the arms of her mother, Jo, before ambulance staff could reach her.

Her death, on Friday, stunned pupils and staff at the school, with the rest of the sixth form arriving for lessons on Monday dressed in black and bringing floral tributes, some bearing photos of Emily.