A School shocked into action by the death of a popular student from leukaemia has raised thousands of pounds in his memory.

Students at Wisbech Grammar School began their mammoth effort after 16-year-old Jack Thulborn died in December.

Along with the collection from the funeral service their efforts have netted more than �6,400. The money is being split between Ward C10 Comfort Fund at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where Jack was being treated, and the Teenage Cancer Trust. There is also sufficient money to fund a tree seat at the school in his memory.

Head teacher Nicholas Hammond said the tragedy had shocked the school into action and handing over the cheques gave everyone a chance to remember Jack and celebrate the hard work that had been done in his memory.

He said: “It became very clear that amongst the pupil body there was an enormous desire to do something practical and the students have surpassed my expectations.”

Four sixth form students raised more than �2,000 for the comfort fund by competing in the ‘Tough Guy’ challenge at Perton in Staffordshire. They made the journey in a vehicle loaned by Eastern Rent-a-Van and wearing tops printed by Fenland Hygiene.

Student Madeleine Boulton, who had just celebrated her 17th birthday, swelled the fund by a further �150 after asking for donations instead of presents at her birthday party.

Collections at the carol services at the senior school and Magdalene house, together with the sixth form carol singing around the classrooms, brought in more than �1,000 for the TCT.

A fund raising party at Mendi’s in Wisbech organised by Brad-Lewis Mortimer, 17, added more than �470 to the total fund and will help pay for the tree seat which he has designed for the garden of the school’s new sixth form centre.

The collection at the funeral together with a further �90 donated at a more recent family funeral, raised more than �1,400 for the comfort fund and more than �1,220 for the cancer charity.

A grand total of �3,570 has now been handed to the comfort fund and a second cheque for �2,260 has been given to the TCT.

Jack’s mother, Trudy Hill, said: “The amount of money which has been given is unbelievable, not only from Jack’s funeral but also from his many friends at Wisbech Grammar School, and we would particularly like to thank the ‘tough guys’ for their determination to finish the course and to raise as much money as possible.

“We would also like to thank his closest friends who have raised money through arranging parties and also giving their birthday money to a well deserving cause. Jack was certainly a very popular and much-loved character and he is missed more each and every day.”