Family of the late Cambridge University’s youngest Black professor Jason Arday has expressed their healtfelt gratitude as the GoFundMe set for the academic’s funeral grossed over £200,000.

The donation reached £209,638 of the extended £250,000 target as of the time this report was filed.

Following Mr Arday’s death amid plagiarism allegations, Patrick Vernon, a British cultural historian of Jamaican heritage and pro chancellor for Wolverhampton University, 

established the GoFundMe to support the deceased’s family with funeral and associated costs.

“Those who knew Jason have described him as a gentle soul. Today, my thoughts are first and foremost with his family as they experience unimaginable grief.

“I have therefore established a GoFundMe appeal to help Jason’s family with funeral, memorial and associated costs,” Mr Vernon stated on Saturday.

The UK-based The Voice said Mr Arday’s family on Tuesday deeply appreciated those who contributed to the GoFundMe since the academic’s death.

“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to those who have reached out following the tragic loss of our beloved Jason. 

“We have been touched by the messages of love, condolences and acts of kindness during what is a deeply painful time for our family.

“We are incredibly moved by the generosity of those who have contributed in any way to Jason’s funeral, memorial and associated costs. Whilst no sum of money will ever bring him back to us, the generosity you have shown is helping to ease some of the practical pressures we face while we try to come to terms with our loss,” the statement said.

Mr Arday, accused of plagiarising his academic work and exaggerating his achievements, was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at an apartment in London, United Kingdom, last Friday.

The academic’s death followed his resignation on August 5 after Cambridge announced that the institution would investigate him over new information on his “academic qualifications and honorary appointments.”

The deceased’s family expressed shock over his death, adding that Mr Arday was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at the institution.