A charity set up in memory of a popular head teacher has raised more than £100,000 – prompting his widow to praise Sheppey’s ‘inspirational’ community.

Fiona Trigwell revealed the news at the Paul Trigwell Island Run presentation evening last Friday evening.

The total for the memorial fund, which was launched to commemorate the popular leader of St George’s Middle School who died in 2006, now stands at £106,414.

The money is used to help benefit Sheppey’s children and young people.

It had been hoped the eighth annual run, which took place in May, would boost the total over the milestone and it did, having raised £10,085.

Money from Mr Trigwell’s son Andrew’s participation in the Brighton Marathon also helped.

More than 700 people took part in the four different courses this year, making it the best attended one to date.

Around 260 of them went along to the presentation at the Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey’s west site in Sheerness.

They were all given medals and 22 trophies were handed out too.

Special awards were also presented, including to Reece Beacham, community award; and Molly and Mason McLeod, the Dave Irving Shield for the spirit of running.

Jamie Campbell, who was part of the Queen’s Head team from Sheerness, was acknowledged for the effort he puts into his fancy dress costumes – he ran 10 miles as Spongebob Squarepants this year – and Eastchurch primary won an award for being the school which encouraged many of their pupils to take part.

There was also a prize draw for all the runners who entered and paid their sponsorship money in – and Malachi Campbell-Rolph won the top prize of a bike.

Mrs Trigwell said it was a fantastic evening and she still can’t believe they have broken the £100,000 mark.

“The presentation evening was a great success,” she said.

“I’m proud to be part of this community.

“It’s inspirational to know there are so many people willing to put in so much effort to raise money for Island children and young people.”