Mother’s pride

Lasting memory . . . Christopher’s mum, Anne-Marie (left), and sister, Joanna Hibbert (right), present the Year 11 team with its new kit and a special framed shirt

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Special kit is fitting tribute to son

A MOTHER was bursting with pride when she presented a new school sports kit in memory of her tragic son.

Christopher Gould, from Helmshore Avenue, Moorside, was only 14 when he died after suffering a severe reaction to eating a cashew nut in July, 2008.

At the time, the family of the popular Our Lady’s RC School pupil requested that instead of flowers at his funeral, donations could be made to the Royton school for a new rugby kit.

Christopher, whose ambition was to be a surgeon, was a keen rugby player and Oldham Athletic fan.

Sadly, tragedy struck the family again last June when Christopher’s father, Jim (56), a teacher at Breeze Hill School and an Oldham Cricket Club stalwart, died, almost 11 months to the day after his son.

Christopher’s mum, Anne-Marie Gould (46), and his sister, Joanna Hibbert (25), have now officially presented the school with the new shirts, which have “In Memory of Christopher Gould” embroidered in blue writing on the front.

Our Lady’s Year 11 team captain and Christopher’s best friend, Joseph Bonniface, was on hand to accept the bright yellow kit, which has already brought the team a 14-8 victory over Counthill School in the Oldham Schools rugby league finals.

Mrs Gould said: “When Christopher died, they needed a new official rugby kit.

“Instead of flowers at Christopher’s funeral, we asked for donations which has helped buy 15 kits. The pupils carried out some fundraising as well.”

Joanna (25) added: “Christopher loved sport and was on the rugby team.

“By donating the kit, there is a part of Christopher that lives on.

“The past two tears have been hard, there is a big hole in our lives.

“But this is a fitting tribute and lasting memory.

“It makes us proud, that is why we wanted to do it.

“If Christopher could have said so himself, that is what he would have wanted to happen.”
Damian Lord, PE teacher at the school, said: “We’re completely honoured that we have these shirts.

“What is great is that there will be lads for the next five or six years that never knew Chris who will be asking who he was.

“He was a fantastic, kind and caring pupil and now every child that pulls one of the shirts on will learn a little bit about him.”

An inquest into Christopher’s death was adjourned in November (09) to gather more evidence from ambulance records and staff.