'Ciara touched the lives of many'
Laura Routledge • Published 20 Jan 2012 09:30
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Ciara Wooller, 12, who died at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. The headteacher of St Paul's Catholic Primary School selected this photograph of Ciara with her parents' permission.
A SEA of pink will fill a Tilehurst church today when families and friends say a colourful goodbye to a popular 12-year-old girl.
The life of Ciara Wooller will be celebrated at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Berkshire Drive at 2pm, when mourners will wear her favourite colour as a tribute to the sporty schoolgirl.
Ciara, who had two brothers and was in Year 8 at Theale Green Community School, was admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital on January 7, but later transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where she died three days later. Her family, who gave the Chronicle permission to use this picture of their daughter and sister, are requesting that instead of flowers, donations should be made to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Oxford hospital.
A tearful assembly was held at St Paul's Catholic Primary School in City Road last Friday when youngsters shared fond memories of Ciara, who was a pupil and a mentor for new children there until 2010, said prayers and watched a video presentation about her.
Headteacher Julia Feeney told the Chronicle: "Ciara was a beautiful person whose goodness shone out and touched the lives of so many people. As a Year 6 Leader she was caring, kind and considerate to the younger children in our school and a reliable, trustworthy pupil, who always gave of her best.
"Ciara will always be remembered for her happy disposition and her positive outlook on life, which touched all those who were fortunate to know her."
At the weekend every player in the Berkshire County Girls Football League wore a black armband and observed a minute's silence in tribute to Ciara, who played centre back for Reading Girls FC Under 14s. All six of the club's teams won at the weekend and dedicated their success to their team mate.
Club chairman Ian Finlayson said: "Ciara was always a happy and smiling girl and will be sadly missed by many of the players and staff. The club is looking to obtain a suitable memorial at our home ground at Burghfield Community Sports Association and is starting the process of raising funds. We are currently looking at a 'Ciara Wooller Memorial Trophy' to give out on annual basis and a memorial bench and plaque, so Ciara will not be forgotten."
More than 1,300 people have left tributes to the "sweet and happy girl" on a Facebook page, entitled 'R.I.P our beautiful, best friend, Ciara Wooller', An investigation by the Thames Valley Health Protection Unit into Ciara's illness ruled any infectious disease but remains inconclusive.
Donate at www.justgiving.com/Eileen-Wooller
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 20 Jan 12
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