A NEW trophy has been created at a village school near York in memory of a governor who died suddenly earlier this year.

The Curtis Cup was presented during the final assembly at Archbishop of York’s CE Junior School in Bishopthorpe by Lisa Curtis, who was widowed when her husband, Philip, died of heart failure after returning home from a run.

Mr Curtis, an apparently fit and healthy father-of-three, was a community champion who served for many years as a governor at the school and was involved in many fundraising activities. The cup was the brainchild of parent Sara Harbord, who co-ordinates a school running club. She said the trophy was intended to provide annual recognition to a runner who had shown commitment, dedication and determination – qualities Mr Curtis himself had shown.

The cup went to Year 6 pupil Henry Rice, 11, of Bishopthorpe, who is calculated to have run 75 miles during his four years at the school. Mrs Curtis said it was a “deep honour” to present the trophy.

She also revealed she was planning to stage a family fun run in her husband’s memory on September 7, at 2pm, on the Ferry Lane field. She said: “We know he would have continued to give more had he been given the chance and so we are trying to maintain some of his energy and drive to help others.

“We are hoping this will be a great community event – encompassing running and fun sporting events for all ages, a raffle, a barbeque, teas and cakes and maybe even a beer or two – Philip would definitely approve!”

The event will raise money for a defibrillator to be based at the junior school, while also supporting the vital work of the Leeds Children’s Hospital, where Philip’s niece has received treatment since surgery to remove a brain tumour two years ago.