Ashleigh Hall's friends pay tribute by raising cash (From The Northern Echo)

Ashleigh Hall's friends pay tribute by raising cash

10:22am Saturday 21st November 2009

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GRIEVING friends of teenager Ashleigh Hall have released 100 balloons and planted trees to raise money in her memory.

Before her death, childcare student Ashleigh, 17, had told friends she wanted her course to raise more money for Children in Need than any other at Darlington College.

Following a day of fundraising in her memory yesterday, college bosses were confident that Ashleigh would have achieved her wish.

Ashleigh’s body was discovered in a field outside Sedgefield, County Durham, on October 26.

Yesterday, dozens of Ashleigh’s friends were joined by her mother, Andrea Hall, at a balloon release and tree planting ceremony at the college.

Messages in memory of Ashleigh were attached to each of the 100 balloons before they were released.

Following that, Ashleigh’s friends planted a semi-circle of ten cherry trees around a plot that will be used for a memorial bench.

Tracy Hawthorn, assistant director for the college’s health and childcare team, said it had been a difficult time for all at the college.

She said. “Ashleigh was an extremely popular member of her course, but what has also come out is that, across the college, she was such a popular student and so supportive.

“There was a total disbelief that something as horrendous as this could happen.”

But Mrs Hawthorn said yesterday’s fundraising had brought a smile back to the students’ faces, and reminded them of the good times with Ashleigh.

“This is all part of the grieving process for them,” she said.

“It was extremely important that after that shock that they were able to feel safe and comfortable, and have happy memories of Ashleigh.

“It could be a very therapeutic process and helpful with enabling the students to have closure, as well as being able to express the high regard in which Ashleigh was held.”

■ Peter Chapman, 32, of no fixed address, will appear before Teesside Crown Court in January after being charged with kidnap, manslaughter and failing to notify of a change of address as required by the Sex Offences Act.

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