FUNDRAISING for a tribute bench in honour of an inspirational North-East teacher has exceeded all expectations with a single large donation.

Michael McMonigle, head of religious studies at the Hurworth School, near Darlington, who was fondly known as Mr Mac, died in August.

One of his former pupils, 17-year-old Lauren Riley, has been raising funds to have a memorial bench made.

Lauren believes that she would never have finished school without Mr Mac.

She says he helped her through the darkest time in her life and she wanted to honour him in some way.

Having already raised £200 through crowdfunding website gofundme.com, Lauren, now a student at Stockton Riverside College, was thrilled to be contacted by Mr McMonigle local store, the Co-Op in Sherburn Village, near Durham.

She said: “I was very shocked when I arrived in Sherburn to collect the donation and they told me it was £500, I filled up with tears.”

The entire staff of the store were truly saddened by Mr Mac's passing, he was a much loved customer and to many of the staff a much loved friend.

Team leader Suzanne Wright said: “As soon as I saw Lauren’s post on Facebook, I just new instantly that both the shop and our community had to get behind this wonderful idea.”

She added: “He always brightened up my shifts when he came in with his infectious smile, warm heart and humour.

"No matter what time of day you saw Michael he would always be full of cheer.”

A poster was put up in the store advising a collection would take place and that all donations would be going towards Mr McMonigle's memorial bench.

The charity bucket was filled by both staff and customers.

Once Lauren has had consent from the parish clerk for the bench, it will be ordered and an update put on the Facebook page RIP Michael McMonigle.

More than 1,000 friends, colleagues and pupils past and present attended a balloon release in memory of Mr McMonigle at Hurworth school after news of his passing spread in August.

He was popular among his students and named as North-East teacher of the year in 2006.