My Story

Batley Grammar School is a coeducational Free School that has been in Batley since 1612.

Rhian was a student at Batley Grammar School and her twin sister, Keeley, still attends.

Rhian made a strong impression in the time she was here and many staff and students have very fond memories of her.  However, it is her family who are best placed to describe her character and her story. These words are from her mum, Julie:

"Rhian had leukaemia and had been having treatment on and off from the age of 5 to age 12. This included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a bone marrow transplant from her twin sister, x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, countless anaesthetics, lumbar punctures, oral medicines and many other tests.

Rhian just got on with everyhting that she went through, never complained, and was always positive and strong. She was brave, caring, kind and thoughtful.

She loved all the staff at the hospital; they became like our extended family because we had spent so much time there. This included nurses, doctors, consultants, play team, catering and cleaners, ward clerks, Candlelighters staff, physios and teachers. The whole teams on wards 31, 31 and 33 and in the oncology day unit at LGI were amazing.

Rhian never let anything bother her and she was always smiling! She just wanted to be normal and be able to do normal things, but the effects of the treatment meant she couldn't do things like playing football and doing sports.

Rhian loved football, music, singing and playing on her Xbox. She went to school when she was well enough and if she couldn't go, she would do homework. To say she had been in hospital for long periods of time and undergone all the treatment she'd had, Rhian never fell behind with her school work, she managed to keep up with everyone in her class.

We loved going on holiday in our caravan and spent lots of time at Flamborough Head on the east coast. Rhian loved going to the beach, eating ice cream and fish & chips and playing in the amusement arcades.

Whe Rhian found out she had relapsed and was to start treatment again, she knew that her hair would fall out, so she decided to donate her lovely long hair to the Little Princess Trust and also raised over £400 for Candlelighters.

Candlighters have supported our family all the way through Rhian's treatment and will continue to support us through our bereavement for as long as we need it. Candlelighters charity have a special place in our hearts for everything they have done for us over the years.