CHILDREN at a Barrhead school have paid a moving tribute to their former lollipop man.

Springhill and Auchenback Primary pupils donated £100 to Cancer Research UK in memory of Barrhead-born Gerry Hughes, a well known lollipop man and ex-Arthurlie FC president, who sadly died last month aged 73.

The news of Gerry's death hit many in the town hard, especially kids at the Springhill Road school who decided they wanted to help out a charity which Gerry kept close to his heart.

Along with the kind donation, youngsters sent an emotional letter to volunteers at the Cancer Research UK store in Shawlands explaining their motive for doing so.

It read: "We would like to donate money to remember our lollipop man, Gerry, because Cancer Research UK was one of his favourite charities.

"Gerry was always there for us. He was really kind.

"He supervised the playground at lunchtime. If we were upset he would talk to us and calm us down. He would talk to us and ask how we were doing.

"He made us laugh. He always had a smile. When he was helping us cross the road he always remembered our names.

"He helped inside the classrooms at World Book Day. He read the P1s a story. If we were unwell he'd always be down at the office talking to us.

"We are donating this £100 to Cancer Research UK because we loved Gerry and we would like to remember him."

Gerry was a familiar face to many in his hometown.

His death on August 8 was met with an outpouring of grief from the community who knew him either from working with the Co-operative in the town or from his days overseeing the running of the 'Lie.

Barrhead was where Gerry spent his later years working as a lollipop man at both Springhill and Auchenback Primary and Barrhead Railway Station and many schoolchildren will remember him fondly.

Pupils welcomed John Anderson, shop manager of the Cancer Research UK store in Shawlands, to the school on Monday, September 19 where they presented him with the cheque for £100.

John was happy to visit the pupils whose thoughtful gesture struck a chord with the shop's volunteers.

He said: "It is always exciting to receive a call from someone confirming they would like to donate to Cancer Research UK however I was not expecting to receive such a moving letter to accompany it.

"The letter has touched all the volunteers at the shop and it is clear the pupils really loved Gerry. It’s really touching they took the time to write such a wonderful tribute.

"It is so inspiring to hear the young ones reminisce on their good times with Gerry and in his memory do something so amazing.

"I didn't know Gerry personally but from the article in the Barrhead News, as well as the few conversations I've had, it is clear to me that Gerry was sincerely liked by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him."