A GRIEVING family say they have been overwhelmed by support from the Middlewich community after more than £6,500 was raised in memory of Peter Wrench.

The huge sum has been raised in just over a week for North West Air Ambulance which came to the former Middlewich High School pupil’s aid - and the funds keep rolling in.

Peter was airlifted to North Staffordshire on Saturday, March 2, after he was involved in a crash on his Kawasaki motorbike in Booth Lane.

But the 19-year-old died from his injuries the next day.

A memorial gathering on Saturday raised £1,287 for North West Air Ambulance.

Meanwhile, Peter’s friend Ashley Hickey, who played with him at Middlewich Town Football Club and Winsford Diamonds Junior Football Club, set up a JustGiving page for the charity.

Donations online currently stand at more than £5,300.

Ashley, 20, who went to Middlewich High School with Peter, said: “People I don’t even know have been donating.

“It’s amazing that such a small community have all got together and given money in memory of Peter. It’s brilliant.”

Peter’s family added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of money raised in such a short space of time. It’s unbelievable.

"The support from all sections of the Middlewich community has helped us immensely.”

Peter’s funeral will be held this Friday at St Michael's Church in Hightown at 1pm.

The family have told the Guardian that anybody who knew the former Middlewich Boys’ Brigade member or wants to pay their respects will be welcome.

- To make a donation to North West Air Ambulance in Peter’s memory, visit justgiving.com/Ashley-Hickey