Emotional day as Harrogate students pay tribute in memory of former headmaster with an event he would have loved

A Harrogate school's students have played basketball for 15 hours in an emotional tribute to their headmaster who sadly died last November from cancer at the age of 48.
The gruelling 15-hour session for charity, staged by Lower Sixth pupils, was held in memory of Ashville College’s tenth Headmaster, Richard Marshall.The gruelling 15-hour session for charity, staged by Lower Sixth pupils, was held in memory of Ashville College’s tenth Headmaster, Richard Marshall.
The gruelling 15-hour session for charity, staged by Lower Sixth pupils, was held in memory of Ashville College’s tenth Headmaster, Richard Marshall.

The gruelling 15-hour session for charity, staged by Lower Sixth pupils, was held in memory of Ashville College’s tenth Headmaster, Richard Marshall and has raised more than £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event was a particularly appropriate way to pay tribute to Mr Marshall who was passionate about basketball, having represented England in the sport as a school boy at Under 15, 19 and 23 age levels, played for the British University England team, and captained his university first team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His love of the game led him to introducing it to Ashville’ Colleges sports curriculum and appointing former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, Voise Winters, as the College’s first basketball coach.

Another of the pupils who took part, Olly Styles, said: “The event was a great way to bring the year group together to socialise and have fun playing basketball whilst also remembering the wonderful work of Mr Marshall.

“The marathon was a huge success and everybody involved should give themselves a pat on the back for the hard work they put in; the quality of basketball on show was rather magnificent.

“The event would not have been possible without the support of the staff and their dedication to the event, both in supervising as well as officiating – they really are a true credit to the communal spirit of the college.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Elspeth Fisher, Ashville College’s Acting Head, said: “This was a tremendous effort by the Lower Sixth pupils who not only organised the event, but also set up a GoFundMe page, as well as playing throughout the night.

"Their initial fundraising target was £1,000, so it’s fantastic to see the total raised to date stands at more than £2,000.”

Another of the pupils who took part. Sixth Former Annabel Thompson said: “Playing basketball for 15 hours was always going to be a challenge, but we were amazed by numbers that wanted to participate and their willingness to play throughout.

“Staff, pupils and their families were so generous and overwhelmed us with donations allowing us to reach £2,000 for Macmillan doubling our goal of the event.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We played 30-minute matches as well as a three-pointer challenge over a period of 15 hours overseen by a mixture of refs and teachers who all volunteered their time.

“Thank you to all the catering staff, teachers, donors and most importantly the players for all your positive attitudes and smiles, even at 4am!”

Earlier in the day a virtual memorial service, led by College Chaplain, The Rev Dr David Barker, was watched by all pupils and staff across the Senior School, and provided an opportunity to look back at Mr Marshall’s contribution to Ashville.

In Ashville’s Prep School and its International Kindergarten & Nursery in Lantau Island, Hong Kong, pupils planted flower bulbs and seeds in Mr Marshall’s memory.

For more information about Ashville College, please visit www.ashville.co.uk or call 01423 566358.