STUDENTS, staff and parents came together to raise funds for a family struck by tragedy.

Pete Gale was attending the funeral of his son Garry when his house caught fire.

As reported in the Dorset Echo, the community rallied to support him and his family – and now, IPACA has handed over £650 which they raised from a non-uniform day.

The cheque was handed over to a family representative by head boy Luke Southern and head girl Chloe Norman.

Garry, a groundsman and youth club manager at Portland Town FC, died aged 36.

Dan Long, who worked with him for more than 10 years at Condor Ferries, set up a JustGiving page to raise money towards the cost of the funeral.

Donations surged after Pete’s house caught fire on the day of the funeral. Emergency services closed the road to allow firefighters to tackle the blaze, but Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said there had been ‘extensive damage’ to the property.

Acting principal of IPACA Gary Spracklen said he was very proud of his pupils for getting involved and raising money.

He said: “Having been inspired by Portland’s support for the Gale family, the Student Leadership Team with the full support of the Senior Leadership Team ran a non-school uniform day on Friday May 26 in aid of the Gale family. In total we raised over £650 which we were delighted to present to a family representative.”

The funds raised came as Mr Spracklen reflected on an exciting half-term term at the Portland Academy. 

In a message to parents, Mr Spracklen wrote: “I have been reminded many times this term of the sheer brilliance of our Island Community. From attending the ‘Mayor Making’ Ceremony for Portland Town Council, to seeing student work on display in Fortuneswell as part of the B-Side Festival, we are truly blessed to live both in a beautiful location and amongst such wonderful, inspiring people. 

“I believe the biggest sign of a community's character is what happens when things get tough. In our own situation as a school, I feel we’ve never been more united around a common goal and I am personally very excited about what the future holds.”