Jack Camilleri, from Caversham, was killed in a tragic accident just over two weeks ago
A 20-year-old rower has drowned while travelling across the holiday resort of Bali.
Jack Camilleri, from Caversham near Reading, was killed in a tragic accident just over two weeks ago but news of his death has only just filtered back to the UK.
Friends and family of the university student have now raised more half of the £20,000 target to buy a commemorative boat in the name of the student, who attended Oxford Brookes University and the renowned Oratory School near Reading.
According to the Justgiving page set up in Mr Camilleri’s honour, the student was a keen competitive rower who captained his school’s boat team between 2014 and 2015.
He had carried on with his passion while on his gap year, continuing his training at Upper Thames Rowing Club in Henley-on-Thames and while at university with the Oxford Brookes Boat Club until his death on August 30.
No details about Mr Camilleri’s have been released, but an inquest was opened on Friday after his body was brought back to the UK.
Commenting on the fundraiser page, Joseph Slattery said: ‘Jack became my daughter Grace’s first love and very quickly a family friend and i nicknamed him Jack Sparrow due to his boating connections.
‘I found Jack to be a truly nice, humble and supportive person and I know his friends meant a lot to him. He did not forget his friends even though he met Grace.
The student was a keen competitive rower who captained his school’s boat team between 2014 and 2015
A JustGiving page has been set up to buy a boat in Mr Camilleri’s honour
‘Jack spent lots of fun times at our home and on various holidays with Grace and with our family, the last being in Barbados where a good time was had by all.
‘I often spoke to Jack about his ambitions and I hope he felt I gave him sound advice. Jack, you became an extension of our family, we miss and will miss you terribly. Rest well dear Jack. Lots of love.’
Another person, Mel Hoare said: ‘Jack was both a friend and mentor to my lads, Harry and Toby, through Bisham Abbey Sailing School. My boys are devastated at the news.
‘Jack was always so vibrant, full of fun, supportive and generous of his time. He has been taken from this world too soon, but he achieved more in those few years than some will do in a lifetime. All my sympathy to his family.’
There has been an outpour of emotion on a Justgiving page following the death of Mr Camilleri
So far, more than £10,000 of the £20,000 target for the boat in Mr Camilleri’s honour has been raised
His friend, who created the Justgiving page under the username W Lord, wrote: ‘It is with great sadness that we all found out the tragic passing of Jack Camilleri who was taken too young following an accident whilst travelling over the summer in Bali.
‘Jack Camilleri was a great friend to all he met and he touched so many lives. In his memory we would like to raise funds to put towards purchasing a rowing boat in his name as a memorial funded by his friends, family and loved ones.
‘It will be a memorial we can use to give back to the sport which gave Jack so much joy and drive, and a sport in which he created so many memories and friends through.’
An inquest into Mr Camilleri’s death begun on Friday after his body had arrived back in the UK