A bespoke memorial bench has been installed within the grounds of a North East school following the tragic death of one of their much-loved pupils. 

Ted Sanderson, 14, died suddenly in June after collapsing during class at Woodham Academy, in Newton Aycliffe. 

The bench, handmade by Lincolnshire-based company Magnus Furniture, was donated by local business Ian Snowball, and is inscribed with a lyric from Ted's favourite song, David Bowie's Starman.

In addition to the bench in Ted's memory, his family and friends raised over ten thousand pounds for the children's trauma unit at James Cook University Hospital.

Read more: Grandmother pays tribute to Newton Aycliffe schoolboy Ted Sanderson

This cause is important to Ted's family, as it is where Ted was taken after collapsing in class, and is where he sadly died, despite the best efforts of healthcare workers. 

The Northern Echo: The bench is inscribed with lyrics from Ted's favourite song. Picture: Magnus Furniture. The bench is inscribed with lyrics from Ted's favourite song. Picture: Magnus Furniture. (Image: Magnus Furniture)

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Ted's grandmother Lynn Wilson said: "The bench is really lovely, but we want Ted, not a bench. Still, it is a really nice memorial.

"Fundraising for Ted had raised a lot of money. We are going to be able to donate over £12,000 for the Children's Trauma Unit at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough."

This money will go towards improving the hospital's family room and will help to find new lifesaving medical equipment. 

Read more: Darlington incident: Air ambulance called to Abbey School

Ted's family and the wider school community are hoping that the bench will serve as a spot for his friends to remember him as he was - a kind, music-loving young man who hopes to one day become a teacher. 

The Northern Echo: The Newton Aycliffe Community was devastated by the death of Ted Sanderson. The Newton Aycliffe Community was devastated by the death of Ted Sanderson. (Image: Family picture)

Bench makers Magnus Furniture constructed the bench after the community raised money through a Go Fund Me campaign for the memorial. 

However, Ian Snowball, a Newton Aycliffe business, came forward to say they would pay for it, allowing all the money donated to go towards James Cook Hospital. 

Correction: Woodham Academy memorial bench

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to The Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.