Earlier this year, the South Wirral High School community was deeply saddened by the loss of Liz Taylor, our Finance & Premises Assistant. Liz was well-known to many students and their families through her dedicated work managing school trips and facilities hire. Her kind spirit and sense of humour left a lasting mark on the school community.
In her memory, Liz’s partner, Tony, undertook an extraordinary challenge: trekking to Everest Base Camp, a staggering 5,364 metres (17,598 feet) above sea level. This feat was not only a tribute to Liz but also a fundraising effort for the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, which supported Liz throughout her illness.
To support Tony’s journey, staff at South Wirral High School signed a flag filled with motivational messages for him to take on his expedition. Tony’s remarkable accomplishment was praised by Headteacher Mr Cloherty, who reflected on the impact of both Tony’s efforts and Liz’s legacy:
“We are incredibly proud of Tony’s achievement in reaching Everest Base Camp. The determination and resilience this has taken is testament to the memory of our colleague Liz, and the amazing attitude she showed throughout her illness. A huge thankyou to Tony for thinking of our school and representing us on this amazing expedition. We will be proud to display the South Wirral flag in school as a reminder of this achievement and as a memory to a wonderful colleague and friend”
The South Wirral flag, carried to the heights of Everest, will soon be displayed in the school, symbolising the enduring legacy of Liz’s contributions to the school and the strength of the community in supporting one another through loss.
Tony’s heartfelt message, shared with the school, speaks volumes about his experience, the challenges he faced, and the inspiration he drew from Liz’s memory. This incredible journey has raised funds that will support patient care at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and aid vital research into cancer treatments, helping to save lives in the future. If you would like to contribute toward’s Tony’s fundraising – you can do so on his JustGiving Page.
The entire South Wirral High School community thanks Tony for his courageous efforts and for keeping Liz’s spirit alive, both on the mountain and in the hearts of everyone who knew her.
We have included an excerpt of Tony’s message for the school below:
“Hi all at South Wirral High School, just a quick message to let you know that I reached Everest Base Camp on Monday.
I was proud to hold the South Wirral flag aloft when reaching the camp and standing on the rock because Lizzie loved her job there and the interaction with the staff, students, and lettings customers.
I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me for the challenge. You are not only supporting the care of many patients at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre today but also helping in the research to find treatments to extend life or, hopefully, eliminate cancer entirely. Every pound raised is going to a worthy cause, so thank you again for your donations and support in remembering Lizzie.
Take care,
Tony”