Family and friends gathered in a Monmouthshire school to plant a tree in memory of a 14-year-old boy and raised donations for the Welsh helicopter charity that tried to save him.

Friends and family of Jake Phillips congregated at Abersychan School on June 28 to pay their respects and to plant a cherry blossom in memory of the school boy.

Jake Phillips sadly passed away suddenly in February, and Wales Air Ambulance attending the scene to try and help him.

Tributes were paid to Jake at his school, as family and friends gathering together to remember him.

Rebecca Rossiter, Jake’s mother, said: “This means a lot to us as a family and I can’t thank people enough.

“Jake would be proud of this.

“The tree will give the children and staff somewhere to go to think and remember everything about Jake.

“I’d also like to thank Wales Air Ambulance because they were fantastic with Jake and did their best.”

To thank Wales Air Ambulance for coming to Jake’s aid, the pupils at the school presented WAA with a cheque for £1,091.61, raised for the charity through a fundraising events.

Friends and family of Jake took part in various activities to raise donations for the Welsh helicopter charity, including taking part in a 5km run over an inflatable obstacle course.

As a charity Wales Air Ambulance relies on donations to funds its missions, needing to raise £6.5million every year to keep its four-helicopter operation flying.

The donation from Jake’s friends and family will help to fund the charity’s missions across Wales.

Head teacher, Phil Collins, at Abersychan School described Jake as a “much loved” pupil at the school.

Phil said: “This isn’t a funeral service this is a time to remember Jake, who was a much-loved and really-well respected member of this school.

“We are going to grow this tree for Jake.

“People at this school can come here whenever they like and think about the times they spent with Jake.

“I’d like to thank pupils and staff for their donations to the Wales Air Ambulance.”