Phil Lewis was taking part in his 24th Great North Run

Phil Lewis, 52, from Moorside Community Technology College, in Consett, County Durham, was one of four men who died in the half marathon in September.

He was running for the school's adopted charity Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Pupils and teachers held a day of events at the college and raised more than �750 for the charity as a tribute to Mr Lewis.

Among the ways money was raised was pupils paying not to wear school uniform and staff wearing school uniforms.

'Apt tribute'

One male student had his legs waxed and headteacher Jonathan Morris was "gunged".

Director of administration Christine Connolly said: "The whole event was typical of the Moorside spirit. Everyone joined in and what's more we all had fun.

"We raised over �750 for Macmillan Cancer Relief and what's more we all had a really happy day. It was an apt tribute to Mr Lewis."

Mr Morris said: "We'll never be the same again without Phil, but it's typical of Moorside students and staff to respond by working together so positively.

"We won't ever forget the fun we had on Friday. It was made very special by the presence of Phil's wife Rose and son and daughter John and Sharon."

Earlier this month, Terry Carney, coroner for Gateshead and South Tyneside, ordered inquests into the deaths of the four men.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Lewis and Reuben Wilson, 28, of Rawdon, Leeds, revealed they died of natural causes.