Tributes have been paid to a “kind and caring” schoolboy who died aged 14.

A fundraiser has been set up in memory of Seaford Head pupil Thomas Balkham, the community saying they have “lost a true friend, brother and son”.

The fundraiser has already raised more than £11,000.

Lexi Terry, who set up the GoFundMe, wrote: “On February 29, we all lost a true friend, brother, son and more. Tom you really were the most kind and caring person who wouldn’t hurt a soul.

“The sad thing is that it was you who was hurt. In memory of our Tom, I wanted to create a GoFundMe to raise money for the desired charities and emergency services wished for by Tom’s family.

“We want to make him proud. All I want is for Tom to see how much he really was loved, even from the sky. Please donate if possible, it would mean so much.”.

In an email to parents, headteacher Robert Ellis wrote that Thomas was a “much-loved member of our school” and said everyone at the secondary school was still trying to come to terms with his death.

The school said it is closing on Tuesday lunchtime before Thomas’s funeral takes place that afternoon. Mr Ellis said that Thomas’s family had invited his friends to the funeral.

A memorial football match is scheduled to take place at the Downs Leisure Centre on March 26 at 3.30pm.

In a previous message Mr Ellis wrote: "Tom was a kind and charismatic young man who always made it his mission to brighten the day of others. Tom will be remembered fondly by his teachers for his infectious personality and his ability to master any work that was put in front of him. He excelled across a range of subjects and quickly grasped difficult concepts. Tom was a popular boy who had a wide circle of friends and made the lives around him richer with his presence.

"He was a lynchpin of the school football team who never missed a game and wore the number 6 shirt with immense pride. At the team’s request and with his family’s blessing, the memorial football match will take place between the Year 8s and Year 9s. 

"Moving forward, there will be a Tom - shaped hole in Year 9 and in the lives of all that knew him. He was and will remain a significant presence in our school community. We will continue to do all we can to continue to honour and celebrate the life of a much - loved young man."

Thomas was found dead at Splash Point, near Seaford Head, shortly before 10pm on February .29.

Donations have come in from friends, teachers and strangers for Thomas.

Lisa Hayward said: "We are incredibly saddened to hear about Tom's passing. Our thoughts are with Tom’s family."

Janet Lee wrote: "It was always a pleasure to see you Tom, going to miss your chatter and our times together, miss and thinking of you always."

Seaford Town Football Club, who Thomas played for, also held a minute’s silence for Thomas before their first team match against Wick FC on March 9.

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.