AARON MURPHY’S name will live on at his old school in Dunfermline after his friends planted a tree in his honour on Friday.

The brave McLean Primary pupil, aged 11, sadly lost his battle with a rare type of cancer on May 30.

On what would have been his last day at the school, Aaron’s Primary 7 classmates helped plant a rowan – a tree that symbolises courage and wisdom – in the quad area while a new award now bears his name.

Headteacher Carol Newton explained: “We’ve started the Aaron Murphy Citizenship Award in memory of him and it will be presented each year to a P7 pupil that has the same qualities that Aaron had: a good friend who considers the needs of others; always polite, kind and helpful; well-mannered; a good role model for others and always willing to learn.

“I designed a shield and the first recipient is Aaron himself, so we have his name on it for 2019 and next year it will be awarded to a P7 pupil and become part of our tradition.

“We have a lot of awards at McLean but we didn’t have one for citizenship. It seemed appropriate to do that now and giving out his award each year is another way to remember him.

“Louise, his mum, is absolutely delighted with that.”

The school was hit hard by Aaron’s death and Mrs Newton said: “He was absolutely a model pupil, polite, always smiling, caring, just the kind of child you want in your class.

“Some of the children have been affected more than others but we’ve had a lot of support from the Jak’s Den charity.

“I know Louise said they’d been a great help and it’s been our chosen charity this year so we’ve done a lot of work with them.

“A lady from Jak’s Den came in and spoke to the children about bereavement and cancer, and the kind of feelings they’ve been experiencing.”

She added: “It has been tough, we really tried to keep everything as calm as possible.

“He’s had the same teacher for the last two years, so they’ve been affected, and by the time you get to P7 you’ve been in every class so a lot of staff had contact with Aaron.

“His mum worked in admin at the school too so that was another connection. It’s just so sad.”

Aaron had been in remission for more than five years when a cancer called neuroblastoma – a tumour that begins in the nerve cells outside the brain – returned.

He began a pioneering new treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, which was his main hope of survival, and fundraising efforts began to pay for further treatment abroad if the trial was unsuccessful.

Friends, family and members of the public rallied round, taking part in sponsored events such as hikes, cycles, bake sales, walking on glass and a zumbathon, with around £5,000 raised.

Tragically, he died on Thursday, May 30, and parents Louise and Douglas paid tribute to their “beautiful, brave, most caring boy”.

They said: “Throughout this journey, Aaron remained strong and brave, charming all who met him. Even during the most horrible days, he was always so polite.

“As parents, we could not be more proud of Aaron. He has taught us so much in his short life. Fly high beautiful boy, we will miss you.”