Blackpool pupils line the streets for beloved teacher's funeral
Pupils, parents and staff have lined the streets outside a school to pay their respects to a "much-loved" teacher who died last month.Pat Burns, a lead student mentor at Armfield Academy on Lytham Road in South Shore, Blackpool, was said to have had a "huge heart" and enjoyed a great rapport with and respect from pupils and staff.Mr Burns, an ex-paratrooper who wore a prosthetic leg, died on 21 May aged 38 after contracting an infection in his leg, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.Crowds gathered on both Arnold Avenue and Lytham Road when his funeral cortege passed the school on its way to Carleton Crematorium.
One mum, who has two children at the school, said the death of Mr Burns was a "massive loss".She added: "They all had the day off because it was Mr Burns' funeral. "They could have gone anywhere and just enjoyed themselves."Instead, so many of them turned up at the school - some with their parents - to pay respects. "And they all wore their full school uniform for him. That's a massive thing for children of that age to do."Mr Burns had time for everyone, he used to chat to my boys about football and rugby. No-one had a bad word to say about him."
'Giant of a man'
After his death, a huge number of floral tributes were left outside the school.Armfield Academy's head teacher Mark Kilmurray described the "deep sadness" of everyone at the school.He said: "Mr Burns made an indelible mark on our school community and really made a difference to the lives of so many of our young people and their families. "The students of Armfield Academy expressed a desire to pay their respects by lining either side of Arnold Avenue as the funeral cortege passed; each in their own way paying their respects, in silence and in support of the wider Burns family, remembering their former mentor with great affection."Mr Burns was a highly valued colleague and friend to many of us. His dedication, kindness and positive impact on our school community will never be forgotten."Mr Kilmurray added: "His unique personal journey [and] service to his country was hugely inspirational for the students and staff around him."Members of the Burns family added their own tributes on a fundraising page.More than £1,400 has so far been raised for BLESMA, a charity which supports veterans who have lost limbs.They said: "Pat was a giant of a man, a brilliant Paratrooper, loving father, son, brother and friend."We can't begin to explain how gutted we all feel. "After all his battles he has been snatched from us in this cruel way at such a young age. "Anyone who met Pat will know what a huge heart and personality he had and he is going to leave a massive hole in our lives."
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