Crowds gathered today at St Mary's Church in Sandbach for the funeral service of a 16 year old boy from Alsager who sadly died after falling ill in church.

A packed church took part in a short and traditional service for Calvin Middleton who was buried at Sandbach Cemetery today (Friday).

The teenager collapsed in church in Cheadle earlier this month while there for a service with his family.

He told his father he had a migraine and went to the toilet at the church where the family worshipped but sadly collapsed and never regained consciousness after a bleed to the brain.

Calvin died a few hours later in Salford Royal hospital. His family straight away set up a Crowdfunding page in his memory to raise money for schools and a hospital in Zimbabwe.

Andrew Middleton, Calvin's father said on the page: "We don't want him remembered with flowers or gifts.

"We would love you to put any donations and gifts of sympathy to a useful cause - the church which he attended all his life.

"If you give here, then all donations will be sent to the Presbyterian church (we meet at the Methodist church in Cheadle) and to support its work with schools and hospital in Zimbabwe."

The Crowdfunding page here. has already raised more than £13,500 and more money is still coming in.

Mr Middleton said on the Just Giving page he was "astounded" by people's generosity.

"As a family we are humbled by the kindness and generosity being shown, and take comfort that in our heartbreak will come a blessing for others," he said on the Just Giving page. .

"A good friend, who has been out to work in the school previously, has spoken to the current Deputy Head teacher.

"They have identified a range of areas where this money could really help. The school website is http://johntallachschool.ac.zw and you will see it does very well academically (https://openclass.co.zw/jonh-tallach-high-school/)."