Mackenzie Swift: Children wear yellow in memory of drowned boy in Mexborough

Schools in Mexborough have encouraged pupils to wear yellow clothing or ribbons to show support for the family and friends of a boy whose body was found in the River Don.

Mackenzie Swift, 11, was last seen going into the water off Ferry Boat Lane in Mexborough at about 8pm on Saturday May 30.

His body was found just over 48-hours later following an extensive search operation which included an underwater team and mountain rescue volunteers.

Donna Howard, the headteacher of Windhill Primary in Mexborough, said wearing yellow was a "simple way of showing our support and remembering Mackenzie".

Donna added that water safety education had again been given to children since Mackenzie's death.

"We've had assemblies prior to this happening about water safety. We've been reiterating those just so that something, not positive, but a little bit of hope came come out of this tragic loss, just so that it doesn't happen to another pupil."

She said taking part in the day was a show of "love and support" for the boy's loved ones.

"A lot of our children knew Mackenzie, and a lot of our families know the family as well. Mexborough is such a close community, and they just look out for everybody."

Paul Rust, headteacher of Highwoods Academy, which Mackenzie attended, previously said the school community had been left "heartbroken" following news of his death.

He described Mackenzie as "a kind, caring and sensitive young man", whose "dry sense of humour and laughter brightened our classrooms and playgrounds".

An online fundraiser set up to help Mackenzie's family has so far raised more than £14,000.

Mackenzie's death comes after a number of other water-related fatalities in recent weeks, including three others in Yorkshire.