A SCHOOL has responded to the tragic death of its deputy headteacher by devoting an entire day to raising funds for a good cause.

Father-of-two Phil Lewis, who taught at Moorside Community Technology College, in Consett, County Durham, for 26 years, died during September's Great North Run while running for his adopted charity Macmillan Cancer Relief.

On Friday, colleagues and pupils at the school staged a day-long fundraising event for the charity as a mark of respect to the 52-year-old, from Chester-le-Street.

The event was organised by the school's director of administration, Christine Connolly, who said: "The whole event was typical of the Moorside spirit. Everyone joined in and we had a lot of fun."

She added: "We raised more than £750 for Macmillan Cancer Relief and, what's more, everyone said it was a really happy day. It was an apt tribute to Mr Lewis."

Students paid £1 not to wear uniform for the day and some joined in an optional fancy dress competition, judged by Mr Lewis' widow, Rose, while staff wore school uniform.

Year nine head Ruth Allen taught pupils the art of stilt-walking. She said: "Unfortunately, the only person to fall off was me, but we raised a lot of money."

The day ended with headteacher Jonathan Morris being gunged in the sports hall by staff and pupils with a mixture of tomatoes, spaghetti, sawdust, shredded paper and glue.

As he dried out afterwards, Mr Morris said he was proud of the school's reaction to the tragedy.

He said: "We will never be the same again without Phil, but it's typical of Moorside students and staff to respond by working together so positively.

"We won't ever forget the fun we had on Friday. It was made very special by the presence of Phil's wife, Rose, and children, John and Sharon.

"They played a full part in the events and performed the official opening of our new dining hall.

"It was great to see them."