And since last November when the driver, Bruce Rudd (63), died from throat cancer, 14-year-old Matthew has raised almost £1,000 for Cancer Research UK through a non-uniform day and three lunchtime fetes at the Swaffham school and a collection around the houses at RAF Marham, where he lives.

Mr Rudd's death, on November 22, was a second shock for Matthew as on June 28 last year his mum Karen's best friend, mother-of-two Kim Akers (41), also died from cancer.

Mrs Roberson said: "Kim had breast cancer two years ago then went into remission. But it came back with a vengeance and spread into her body, and within four weeks of being diagnosed she was dead.

"With Mr Rudd it was only about six weeks from finding out about the cancer that he died, and he was a father and a granddad. I think it shocked Matthew how quickly it progressed."

Matthew thought Mr Rudd, a driver with Matthews Coaches at Shouldham, was "on the road to recovery" after an operation. But only a few days later he learned that he had died.

On hearing that Mr Rudd's widow would like any donations to go to Cancer Research UK, he began organising the lunchtime fundraising activities at Hamond's and went round the RAF Marham houses collecting, in costume, with two of his friends.

Hamond's Every Child Matters and Community Coordinator, Mrs Anna King, said: "Matthew has raised a great deal of money in school and in his community at Marham. He also asked our school council if one of our charity days could be dedicated to raising money for Cancer Research UK."

The special non-uniform day was held on Friday, May 2, when Matthew also organised a lunchtime mini-games fete in the gym, and more than £600 was raised.

Matthews Coaches' managing director John Lloyd said: "I think it is brilliant what Matthew and the Hamond's students have done – his family is one of the nicest you could know.

"Bruce had been driving for me for about 15 years. He was very popular with the school kids on the bus and they were all friends."

mike.last@lynnnews.co.uk