MORE THAN £9,000 have been raised to make a commemorative memorial for a former teacher in Wokingham, following his death in the Forbury Gardens knife attack earlier this year.

James Furlong was formerly a history teacher at the Holt School, Wokingham, but was sadly killed during the Reading attack in June.

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In honour of his memory, the Holt School's community organised a fundraiser to erect a permanent memorial of Mr Furlong in his memory.

In the space of seven days, the Holt community has successfully raised a total of £9,432 towards the mosaic memorial project out of the £10,000 target.

One former student, Tanya Nduati, spoke to The News on why she is supporting the fund: "its important that he's remembered because he was one of the best teachers I've ever had.

"There was nothing you could say you disliked about him.

"He needs to be remembered by people who didn't get the opportunity to meet him. He impacted all of our lives."

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A former student of the Holt, who also attended Mr Furlong's classes, Maddy Peries, recalled her memories with the former teacher.

She said: "He always had individual jokes with everyone.

"I came in one day and I had a bit of glass in my foot, and every time he saw me he asked me if I had glass in my foot and it wouldn't be funny to anyone else. With each individual pupil he would have his own little jokes.

"He meant so much to students. When I found out people are trying to raise money, I thought it shows how much he meant to them personally."

Any excess funds will be donated to charities that were "close to Mr Furlong's heart."

To donate, visit uk.gofundme.com/f/the-holt-school-james-furlong-memorial-fund.