AN INSPIRATIONAL fundraiser and teacher from Bromsgrove has died following a short illness, leaving his family and former pupils in mourning.

Alasdair Hogarth, 67, attended Bromsgrove School in the 60s where he was affectionately nicknamed 'the boy in the kilt', before graduating university and going on to teach across the country.

Best known for his 20-year career as headmaster of Archbishops School in Canterbury, Alasdair was named Kent's head teacher of the year in 2008.

He then went on to launch and spend his retirement running the KajoKeji Educational Trust, which provides porridge to more than 1,000 hungry children in Africa each day.

The charity has also built deep-water boreholes and new toilets, provided extra teachers and sponsored secondary school pupils.

After being diagnosed with bowel cancer two months ago, Alasdair passed away on August 30 at his family home in Bromsgrove, surrounded by family.

He is survived by his mother Wendy, wife Mary, daughters Laura and Clementine and sisters Jenifer and Louise, who have paid tribute to a 'loving and supportive man'.

His older sister Jenifer said: "My little brother was such a supportive lovely man and he was just great fun to be with.

"He loved my children, his grandchildren and in fact all children. He was surrounded by all of us in our family home until the end."

Dozens of messages from Alasdair's former students have been posted on a private Facebook page, describing him as 'the very heart of that school' and a 'truly gentle and golden hearted man'.

A funeral will be held at St Dunstan's Parish Church in Canterbury on September 18 at 11am.

Donations are welcome to the KajoKeji Educational Trust and Pilgrims Hospices. Call C W Lyons and Sons on 01227 463508 or write to 70 Military Road, Canterbury, CT11NE.