Pupils and staff have raised money in memory of a Havering schoolgirl who died of a brain tumour.

Katelyn Donovan was just 14 when she lost her 18-month battle with cancer in December 2010.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, in St Mary’s Lane, Upminster - where Katelyn’s brother Joseph is a Year 6 pupiul - held its first annual “Bandanas for Brain Tumours Day” on March 1.

Teachers and pupils donned the headgear and donated £1 each to The Brain Tumour Charity

Katelyn’s mum Mary-Anne Donovan, of Marlborough Gardens, Upminster, hailed the day as a success.

She said: “I am really grateful to St Joseph’s School, the staff, students and parents for making the day so successful.

“Having lost our Katelyn to a brain tumour at only 14, the charity is close to our hearts.

“By enlisting the community’s help, we would like to create awareness and raise support in the fight to find new treatments, and new hope, for brain cancer patients.”

Headteacher James Johnson immediately gave his full backing to the day and committed to making it an annual charity event on the school’s calendar.

He said: “The total raised was £444. We look forward to making this a regular fixture on our charitable outreach calendar.”

Further information on the charity can be found at www.thebraintumourcharity.org or at www.katelynyvonnedonovan.vpweb.co.uk for local fundraising events.