Debut novel set to be published as part of fundraising campaign for Brackley teacher who is terminally ill

A fundraising campaign has been launched to help the family of Chris Leach, who is a terminally ill teacher at Winchester House School in Brackley.

Friends launched the fundraising campaign to help make sure Mr Leach's family is provided for in the future.

Organisers hope to give the campaign a boost by offering people another way to support the family.

Friends have worked with Mr Leach to help get his first book published. Now people can order a limited edition of the book.

Organisers have already passed their fundraising target and have raised an astounding £131,714 for the Leach family. But through the sale of the limited edition books they hope to raise even more for the Leach family.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the campaign to help the Leach family can use the following Just Giving web link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/katharine-pooleyOne of the campaign organisers said: "Chris Leach is an IT teacher however, recently it has come to light that Chris is also a passionate and talented author.

"He began writing his first novel, The Crimson Mask, after the death of his father triggered an epiphany in his own life.

"When Chris learned that he had inoperable cancer he became extra determined to fulfil his life-long ambition and complete his novel.

"We have worked hard to get this published and now you have the opportunity to purchase one of a limited run of 300 first editions by Chris."

The book, The Crimson Mask, is set in London. It’s 1862, Queen Victoria has been dead for 20 years and a shadow has fallen across the crumbling Great British Empire. The only hope for a return to normality comes from the mysterious foundation led by the man behind the Crimson Mask.

The book is aimed at children in years seven and eight.

The books will be sold on a first come first served basis. Each signed copy costs £20.00 plus £4 for postage and packaging.

To order a copy of the book people must send a message to the following email with their name and address: [email protected]. After emailing the organisers the book purchase can be made over the phone with a credit card.

The book will be available from the February 22.

All of the proceeds will go to the Leach family.

Organisers of the fundraising campaign posted the following heartfelt message about Mr Leach:

"In November last year, Chris Leach experienced a loss of sensation to his face and left hand and went to hospital.

"After a week of tests and investigations he was told that he has bowel cancer which has also spread to his brain. It is inoperable and despite enduring radiotherapy there is no hope and chemotherapy can do nothing, not even prolong the time he has left. He has been told that he has a very short time to live – weeks rather than months.

"Chris is a devoted and loving family man who delights in his children. He is also a creative and inspirational teacher at Winchester House where he has worked for the last 11 years and is head of ICT and the Pupil Progress Reporter. He is well loved by his pupils and respected by his peers."

Friends hope the fundraising campaign will help set up the Leach family long-term with enough money to buy their own family home.

Campaign organisers added: "The family currently live in rented accommodation at Winchester House School in Brackley. Whilst the school is being incredibly supportive of the family, the time will come for the family to move on and Chris' wife Tracey and their children won't have a home of their own.

"Chris’ last wish is to know that his family will have some security in the form of their own home. He knows that it is going to be really hard for them and he is desperate to do all he can to help. Knowing that they have a secure base for the future will enable him to have some peace.

"Chris is getting weaker by the day and time is of the essence. Ideally Chris would like to move into the new home with his family before he gets too weak so that they can all have memories of him living there with them even though this will be for a very short time. This is particularly important for his children who are all so heart-breakingly young.

"Knowing that his family has a permanent and secure roof over their head will make Chris’ last days more bearable for him and give Tracey and the children some stability as they face life without him. The children will be able to stay in the schools they are settled in and keep the friends they have made.

"Life is never fair, but this is a particularly brutal story, so please if you are able to give a donation to help this family, we would be so very grateful.

"Even in this incredibly difficult time for us all, if you could please make any donation at all it will all be hugely appreciated and enable us to make a huge impact on the lives of this family who have already suffered so much. They need your help."