A FORMER Pershore High School sixth form student took to the skies and raised £2,300 in memory of Felix Alexander by completing a tandem skydive.
Nathan Branchett, 18, from Drakes Broughton, took part in the 15,000 feet jump above Dunkeswell Aerodrome, an airfield in East Devon on Sunday, October 2 in memory of his friend and fellow student.
Felix, who had been bullied since secondary school, was just 17 years old when he was hit by a train at Norton, near Worcester, on April 27 this year.
Worcestershire Coroner Geraint Williams recorded a verdict of suicide during an inquest into his death in July.
Felix’s grieving mum Lucy has penned a heartbreaking letter appealing for ‘children to be kind ALWAYS and never stand by and leave bullying unreported’.
She said Felix had been subjected to ‘cruel and overwhelming’ taunts on social media since he was 10, which eventually became unbearable
The teen had moved to Pershore High School to escape the cruel bullying at his former school and was extremely popular with staff and students.
“He was, however, so badly damaged by the abuse, isolation and unkindness he had experienced that he was unable to see just how many people truly cared for him,” wrote Ms Alexander.
Caring staff and students at the Station Road school are continuing their fund-raising efforts for the charity with a non-uniform day on Wednesday (October 19).
All of the funds raised will be donated to Place2Be, a charity which provides emotional support to children in 282 schools nationwide and has also supported Felix’s family since his tragic death.
Clive Corbett, headteacher at Pershore High School, said: “Felix was a splendid and very likeable young man.
“Sadly, he never knew how much he meant to so many people here. The fund-raising effort in Felix’s memory is incredible and we look forward to adding to it with next week’s non-uniform day. “We will also be working closely with Felix’s family and the Place2Be charity on other activities to secure his legacy,” he added.
