A SCHOOL will bid to buy a Snowdog in memory of a pupil who died from a rare form of cancer.

Balfour Primary School in Brighton is raising as much money as possible in the hope of becoming the new owners of one of the giant pooches from The Snowdogs by the Sea art trail when they go up for auction on Tuesday.

If they are successful, the model will stand in the school as a lasting memorial to Niamh Storey-Davidson, who died in 2014 aged nine after being diagnosed with having a Wilms’ tumour two years earlier.

Her mother Gilli Davidson suggested the idea because Niamh loved dogs. So far parents, staff, pupils, friends and family have raised more than £5,000 but are still appealing for donations.

Scores of Snowdog-themed fundraising activities have been taking place as part of the campaign. More than £300 was raised in a cake sale at the school with cupcakes featuring the children's character. And Niamh's twin brother Zach, 11, and friends took part in a cycle ride visiting the models at the weekend.

Mrs Davidson said: "Niamh would have loved the Snowdog trail as she absolutely loved all dogs. Her answer to almost any question was 'Get a dog!'. In fact, if you ever had the pleasure to play ‘animal, vegetable, or mineral’ with Niamh you would know her choice was always a dog. She also had a toy Labradoodle called Goldy which accompanied her through all her treatment.

"She also loved the snow and a special family memory was escaping the hospital to go to Ditchling Beacon for an hour where we gathered a pot of snow and took it back to the hospital with us.

"The school wanted to have a memorial for her but I had been holding off because a tree or a plaque seemed too adult. "When I heard about the Snowdog auction I thought this would make the perfect memorial to Niamh and a fun and friendly addition to the school. Everyone else seemed to think the same and I have been blown away by everyone's support.

"The story of The Snowman and the Snowdog is very poignant but there is something almost comforting about it. I think the trail has helped Zach talk about Niamh as well."

"Niamh's brothers Zach, Ethan, 17, and Callum, 21, found comfort in her love of dogs since she died and now love them as well," she added.

The family is still deciding which Snowdog to bid for and will make a final selection after seeing them one last time at the farewell event - where all the models will be in one room for the first time - on Sunday.

Headteacher Marcelo Staricoff said: “I have been incredibly touched by the generosity of our community in trying to help fundraise for The Martlets and the Snowdog. It’s very moving how not only families have raised money with non-uniform days but individually at home. It is the best way to remember Niamh as she loved dogs so much. She was an incredibly wonderful and brave girl.”

The school raised an extra £250 on Wednesday from their carol concert.

Donation buckets are at the school reception or a cheque can be handed to the office made payable to Friends of Balfour Primary School (FAB), or posted to the school in Balfour Road, Brighton, BN1 6NE.

The funds from all auction sales of the Snowdogs will go to The Martlets hospice. Any extra funds raised by the school will be donated to Barretstown - a charity that run bereavement camps for families that have lost a child to a serious illness.