KING Charles I School has paid the ultimate tribute to former pupil Aaron Mills, by naming its astroturf pitch after him.
The area at the school was named The Aaron Mills Astro and a plaque has been unveiled, describing the school’s former pupil as “a class act”.
Aaron, aged 18, died at the start of the year, just days after beginning to feel run down.
As Aaron had been vaccinated for meningitis, his parents believed he was protected but he had caught a different strain, meningitis B (MenB), which his vaccine did not help him with.
Aaron was a huge football fan and played every day at school with his friends, as well as several local teams including Kidderminster Lions and Stourport Swifts.
He set out to study football and science at Liverpool John Moores University and hoped to be part of the coaching staff at his beloved Premier League club Liverpool.
A statement on behalf of Aaron’s family said: “Of all the tributes to Aaron, he would have loved this the most. This was his happiest place: with his mates on the astro.
“Thank you, King Charles I School.”
The school described Aaron as an incredibly talented, kind and thoughtful student.
This week also saw bookings open for the MenB vaccine, after months of campaigning from Aaron’s family.
Last month, the government announced that thousands of young people across England would get protection against MenB through a one-off vaccination programme, launching ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.
Following Aaron’s tragic death, his dad Anthony and the rest of his family have been campaigning for a MenB vaccine rollout and greater awareness of the illness.
The family met with Sharon Hodgson, under-secretary to health secretary James Murray, in May.
Anthony Mills told The Standard the vaccine roll-out added to Aaron’s legacy and has helped the bereaved father to find some peace.
