THE NURSERY teacher of a Monkton girl who died from a rare brain tumour is now a key part of a new charity launched to help fund a sensory bus in her honour.

Lesley Wright, 38, is one of six trustees who have rallied round the family of Aoife Kidd who sadly passed away last year. She was just six years old.

Brave Aoife battled with her illness for four-and-a-half years after being diagnosed with High Grade Gilioma when just 16 months old.

After her death on December 16, 2019 the family set up a charity Aoife’s Sensory Bus to support other children after the tot suffered developmental delay but responded well to sensory stimulus.

The charity which has been on the road since September has saw inspiring fundraising efforts with virtual Kiltwalkers helping.

A special Christmas card has also been launched which has been hand painted by Aoife’s Auntie Laura.

For Lesley, who stays in Auchinleck, Aoife will always hold a place in her heart as she took the decision to get involved and help the family.

She told the Advertiser: “Aoife first came in when she was only two-and-half years old.

“She came in every morning, we just got really involved in her life, she was doing trials at Great Ormond Street and back and forth.

“Occasionally she had to get blood tests and I had her for years before my job changed. I just kept in touch with the family, it’s got a wee place in my heart.”

The Christmas card features Aoife and her younger sister Eilidh holding hands alongside their dog Cora whilst looking out to a snowy Ailsa Craig, with a wintery scene topped off by the sensory bus.

Lesley remembers cheeky Aoife as always outdoorsy, and the card reminds her of those nursery days.

She said: “We’re on our second round of orders it is going really well.

“The way I always remember her is with her big coat, her hat on and her welly boots.

“At nursery she was always getting in about it, splashing through puddles.”

“She was an absolute rascal – we had a mobile library in for time and rather than looking for the books she was up wanting to drive the bus.

“She had an impact on everyone who worked there.”

Lesley feels the charity have got a big future despite the coronavirus pandemic limiting fundraising opportunities.

She said: “There’s so much need for a sensory bus which can help children who have been through what Aoife did. I know what a massive impact it had on her and we could help far more children in her memory.”

Visit Aoife’s Sensory Bus on Facebook for more details.