School’s memories of Bradley will live on

Bradley MacDonald was just 16 when he lost his fight against cancer on August 7.

On Wednesday, family, friends and members of staff from Mirfield Free Grammar came together to see The Bradley Hall officially opened at the school.

Bradley’s parents and family attended the opening and the school’s Sixth Form students sold cakes and bakes to raise money for Candlelighters, a local charity, who gave Bradley and his family invaluable support throughout his illness.

Neal Packard, Vice Principal at Mirfield Free Grammar School said: “It has been incredible the way the students have been wanting to remember and honour Bradley from attending his funeral to taking part in events by Candlelighters.”

Bradley’s Achievement Co-ordinator Mrs Cat Edwards, spoke at his funeral, paying tribute to someone she described as ‘a gift’.

She said: “He was vibrant, determined and fun loving. Popular with his peers and respectful to everyone he met, with a real thirst for knowledge and to constantly better himself. But there was something about Brad that made him so likable. It could have been his broad smile with real kindness in his eyes, his confidence and ability to laugh at himself if something went wrong or his humility and generosity towards his friends and peers that made him such a loved young man. Over the past 11 months, Bradley’s strength of character shone brighter than ever. He tackled everything that was thrown at him with strength and dignity. He was an exceptional human being who was taken too soon. However this is something I am sure of, he will be remembered in the hearts of all of us forever.”