RUNNERS of all abilities swarmed a Darlington playing field, as friends, family and former colleagues paid tribute to a popular teacher at a fundraising run.

Joanna Henderson taught at Corporation Road Primary School for more than 20 years and became the school’s longest serving teacher.

The 46-year-old, from Whitby, died in December last year, just 12 months after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

As a tribute to Miss Henderson, scores of her former colleagues, friends and family descended on the field next to the Head of Steam Museum, in Darlington, to take part in a charity relay race.

About 25 teams from schools across the town took part to raise funds for Teesside Hospice, where the popular teacher spent her final days.

Her sister, Vickie Wilson, also made the trip from Whitby to take part.

Speaking at the event, she said: “It is wonderful and amazing to see how many people have turned out for my big sister. She was quote a private and shy person who never know how loved she was.

“Jo has clearly got amazing friends who have shown their love for her today. She was an amazing sister and a fantastic teacher and a brilliant mentor to my little boy, Ollie.

“She put her heart and soul into her job and really loved the children.

“Throughout her illness she was the bravest, most inspirational person who always had time for her family and her friends and was strong until the very end.

“She never let the illness get her down and we were still going for daily walks until she was admitted to the hospice.”

She added: “She was really into her sport and loved swimming. She also used to go running and did 5km and 10km races in Scarborough, Middlesbrough and York.

“She is massively missed and not a day goes by without thinking of her. I want to say a massive thank you to everybody that has come today and to the school for organising it.”

The event was organised by Peter King, the headteacher of Corporation Road Primary School, who said he was extremely pleased with the turn out.

He said: “Jo was a runner and was very active, so we thought it would be a nice way to remember one of our colleagues.

“What was an embryonic idea a few months ago has turned into something involving 25 teams.”

The race was won by a team from Martin Gray's Football Academy, followed closely by the Polam Hall Buns and Guns team.