Friends, family and parents have clubbed together to raise more than £12, 000 for a fitting tribute to a much-loved teacher - an outdoor classroom.

Ben Allen was killed after being hit by a car. He was just 27.

Ben, who loved the outdoors, taught at Cliffe Wood Primary School, near Rochester. It was his first teaching job and he was popular with staff and children alike.

Karen Connolly, head teacher said the school had liaised with Ben's parents, the PTA and pupils to come up with a suitable memorial for Ben who had taught there for seven years.

Mrs Connolly said: "Ben loved being outdoors,especially with his dog. And he was sporty.

"We didn't think a plaque or statue was right. We wanted somewhere the children can enjoy and that can grow in years to come.

"We wanted it to be a celebration of his life - a life which was taken too soon."

Mrs Connolly added it was testament to his popularity how much has been raised since the online GoFundMe page was set up shortly after his untimely death last December.

She said: "We've had donations not just from people who knew Ben - especially parents whose children said how much he inspired them - but anonymous strangers and people in the local community.

"Children are resilient but all of a sudden something might remind them. We hope the outdoor classroom might give them some closure."

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Mrs Connolly, who started the fundraiser, said: "This will be a fitting tribute to a well-loved teacher and colleague whose creativity knew no bounds and who loved the outdoors.

"This area will be used long into the future to give children opportunities to learn, create and reflect."

Work on the project in the grounds of the school, in View Road, is planned to start in the October half term.

It will include seating, flower beds, a pathway and shelter.

Ben died early on December 18, 2021 in Station Road, Cliffe, after being hit by a vehicle.

Following the incident, two men were arrested but were bailed pending further investigation.

Jordan Bannon, of Church Street, Cliffe, has since been charged with causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured and with failing to report a road-traffic collision.

The 29-year-old appeared before Maidstone Crown Court in August and pleaded not guilty. He was bailed pending his next hearing, which is yet to be confirmed. Another man has since been released without charge.

An inquest was opened in January in which it was heard he died due to "head and chest injuries".

Coroner Katrina Hepburn said she was opening the inquest at The Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone due to the “traumatic injuries” but was suspending it so a criminal investigation can take place.