A POPULAR Glasgow teacher who died at 28 less than a year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour is to have a classroom named in her honour.

Paula Elliott, who taught at Cardinal Winning High School in Tollcross in the city’s East End, passed away on July 25 2018 leaving staff and pupils “devastated" a well as her parents Pauline and John and husband Liam.

Paying tribute, Peter Johnstone, headteacher of the secondary, which caters for pupils with additional support needs, said the young teacher had brought “life, vitality and spark” to the school during her three-year tenure.

Paula’s parents helped create a lasting legacy for their daughter by raising £8000 for a new sensory room at the school, which is to be named The Paula Elliott Sensory Room.

Paula’s mother Pauline said: “Something very good has come out of this.”

Paula, who lived in Garthamlock, went to her GP in 2016 after she developed an unexplained limp.

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She was referred to a neurologist, who thought it might be a linked to a historic spinal injury and no further tests were carried out.

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After the limp worsened she returned to the consultant twice more and the neurologist began to suspect Paula might have Multiple Sclerosis.

However a CT scan and a brain biopsy revealed Paula had a brain tumour. Worse still, the family were told it was Grade 4 and incurable.

Paula underwent emergency surgery to remove part of her tumour after she suffered a seizure, which left her paralysed down her left hand side and affected her memory.

Paula’s dad John, 58, who works at the Emirates Arena,said: “Paula went on a course of chemotherapy and was cared for by Pauline, myself and her husband Liam. She was paralysed.

“In the January 2018, she took a seizure and we rushed her to hospital. They told us the tumour was back and the chemotherapy was not having any effect whatsoever.

“It was a long process and it was difficult watching your daughter go through that. It was very difficult.”

Paula’s mum Pauline, 57, who works in the office at St Bridget’s Primary School, said: “Paula loved her job and was so desperate to return to it.”

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Her other passion was singing and she fronted a band that performed in Liverpool’s famous Cavern club.

Paula’s brother Matthew got married on July 10th last year, ten days before she died and she was too ill too attend the wedding.

Peter Johnstone, the head teacher at Cardinal Winning, had to break the news of Paula’s death to staff on his first day at the school last year.

He said: “I arrived in August last year so I never had the good fortune to meet Paula but what greeted me on arrival was how valued and much loved she was as a member of the school community.

“Staff were devastated by the news. I believe it was a very short illness.

“Over the months that followed I got a sense of the role she played.

“She loved music and drama and added life and vitality and spark to the school and the young people really engaged with her.”

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Paula’s parents raised almost £8000 funds to refurbish the school’s sensory room by walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrims route in Spain.

Mr Johnstone said: “I met with Paula’s parents not long after I started and too lovelier people you couldn’t wish to meet.

“I can’t imagine how dreadful it must have been to lose their daughter at such a young age.

“We wanted to put the money they raised towards something permanent and our sensory room was badly in need of refurbishment.”

Paula’s friend Jennifer King said: “Paula absolutely loved being a teacher and was a very well respected and popular member of staff at Cardinal Winning.

“Throughout her illness her family and friends took part in charity events including the Kilt Walk, Santa Dash, Tough Mudder to fundraise for her chosen charity, Haven, where she had gone for treatments including reiki and massage.”