A SCHOOL helper who has been inspiring children at Neroche Primary School for 30 years was given a big send-off after she announced she would retire.

Malinda White started initially as a mum helper but has been on the school’s staff since 1986, working under five of the school’s seven head teachers.

Malinda, who was a learning support assistant, has combined her work in the classroom with fund-raising activities, helping to raise thousands of pounds for the CLIC Sargent Children’s Cancer Charity over the years.

The school said: “Malinda is quite simply irreplaceable, always smiling and calm, she has helped hundreds of children with their reading and writing during her time at Neroche and is much loved by her colleagues and children alike.

“Everyone at Neroche extends their very warmest wishes to Malinda for a long and happy retirement and we hope she will enjoy being able to spend time with her new grand-daughter.

“We also hope she will maintain contact with the school.”

For her big send-off, children at the school made cards and a special assembly was held to wish Malinda a happy retirement.