ART students and their teachers have thrown themselves into organising a fundraising exhibition for a stricken teenage classmate.

Nestor Skroban-Korzeniecki from Ruardean Hill was seriously injured when his moped collided with a car during the evening rush hour in Churcham on Friday, February 2.

And fellow students at the Gloucestershire College Forest campus in Berry Hill have rallied together to design artwork and organise a show in aid of their friend.

Art curriculum leader Katie Mullinger said: “We’re really missing him and the students really wanted to do something to help, designing work and selling it, and organising an exhibition and art auction.

“We’ve also got several local artists submitting work for the show next Friday (February 23) at the White Hart Inn in Cinderford, and we’re really hopeful of raising some money to help Nestor and his family.

“It’s just the sort of thing he would love being involved in, he’s so talented and enthusiastic.

“His dad Tymek told him at Southmead Hospital what we’re doing, and although he was unconscious for a long time, he now has periods of being awake, and was able to move his eyes to show that he understood.

“We’re going to do some videos of what we’re up to as well, to show him.”

The Year Two student’s moped was in a crash with a Peugeot 406 car close to the Two Mile Lane turning around 5.15pm, and the 18-year-old sustained a broken thigh and head injuries.

Sister Ines, 17, who is also studying art, is helping with the fundraising push, which has seen students making badges and key rings using Nestor’s own ‘frog’ logo which they are selling at college, and preparing prints, wooden block paintings and other art pieces to sell at the auction.

“It’s been a traumatic time, but it’s been good for them to throw themselves into something positive to help their classmate,” added Katie

“We’ve pretty much thrown aside the stuff we’ve been doing and focussed on organising this exhibition, which gives them a real focus and is also great experience for them.”

Katie, who has taught Nestor for three years, has also launched a funding page for donations to help his family through “this very difficult and expensive time.”

Anyone wanting to help, can go to www.gofundme.

com/help-for-nestor or for more details of the art show, see www.facebook.com/helpfornestor

The art auction takes place this Friday at 7.30pm, and, as well as the students’ own work, will include paintings by the likes of Rex Foley, Katie Mullinger and Louise Gaines, stained glasswork by Jo Snowdon, and jewellery by Kathryn Willis.