Euan Macrae (16), of Rosedale Cottage, Hartmount Holdings, died peacefully on Sunday at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.

Tain Royal Academy headteacher, Donnie MacLeod, said yesterday that a group of fifth year pupils had distributed collection boxes throughout the school and town for CLIC Sargent, a charity which offered support to Euan and his family during his illness.

"A group of pupils felt it was very important to raise money for charity in memory of Euan," he said.

The fifth year Tain Royal Academy pupil enjoyed school and attended classes right up until last week "School was important to Euan. He did very well in his standard grade exams at the end of fourth year. That was a big goal for him last year and he did extremely well," said Mr MacLeod.

"He was highly-regarded by everyone, by his peer group and by teachers. He was very brave throughout his illness. He never let it get in the way of leading as active a life as he could. He just wanted to make sure that he did everything he wanted to do. He never complained, he wanted to be treated just like everybody else.

"He was an avid reader, he loved reading and he spent a lot of time in the school library. He was involved in the school drama club and last year he went on a school trip to a battlefield in Belgium. He also did work experience at Moray Firth Radio."

Mr MacLeod said the school held an assembly for fifth year pupils on Monday to allow them to come to terms with Euan's death.

He said a large number of staff and pupils would be attending Euan's funeral at Dornoch Cathedral today.

"Euan will be sadly missed by pupils and staff at the school and our thoughts are with his family at this time," he said.

Euan was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, which is a rare type of bone tumour found in children and adolescents, in February 2004.

He underwent a major operation in 2004 and not long after the surgery he took part in the pantomime and the Scouts.

Euan was invited to switch on the Christmas lights in his home town in November 2004.

In February last year he met best-selling author Terry Pratchett during a special day which was organised by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

It was reported at the time that Terry was clearly impressed by Euan, who had read all 44 of his books.

Euan is survived by his parents, Dave and Karen and his siblings, Scott, Paula and Arran.

While Euan was receiving treatment in Edinburgh, the family were able to stay in a CLIC Sargent villa just a few yards away from the hospital.

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