A MEMORIAL fund set up for a St Columba’s High School teacher who died suddenly has raised £4,775.30 in less than two months.

Wife of Graeme Stewart, 49, Alyson and his two daughters, Amy and Rebecca, said they were "beyond proud" of a man that seemed to touch the lives of so many people in the community.

The money will go to the charity APD India, an initiative that was close to Graeme's heart as he prepared to go over with pupils to Asia at the end of May.

Alyson, 52, said: "This really meant a lot for Graeme. The charity works with disabled people in India and he wanted to give something back for his 50th birthday this year.

"We were involved in PSB Photography, gymnastics club Acrobay, and he was loved by so many people connected to St Columba's over the years so the fundraising just escalated because so many people wanted to help.

"Within an hour of setting up a fundraising page, we had met our £300 target.

"Graeme is still helping people even though he is not here anymore."

Headteacher Kevin O'Connor said: "We still have more money coming in because the kids organised a charity football match with the staff.

"Everything has just happened though, nobody purposely sat down to set something up, people have just felt compelled to help.

"In his role as a guidance teacher, Graeme deeply connected to many pupils and families for over 20 years and I've just had a breadth of messages of support from all over, from Rangers Football Club to the Archbishop of the Diocese.

"This fund will change lives and although there has been a great sadness, it's very comforting to know that this is Graeme's legacy."

Graeme's death in March was a great shock to his family and tributes from across the community have been shared on his Facebook page.

Speaking of her late husband, Alyson added: "To us, he was just a normal bloke!

"He was always worried that he wasn't doing enough for his pupils but the stories we've heard have just been the opposite.

"One pupil said he was the reason they came to school while others said they were inspired to become a teacher because of him.

"He was always putting people under his wing."

Daughters Amy, 20, and Rebecca, 17, added: "He looked after us and was always sending us messages and Snapchats through the day!

"You never knew when he was joking – he was very caring but just a big kid at heart."

A memorial plaque is planned for Graeme in India when the pupils visit next month.