The family of Cambridge professor Jason Arday has thanked the public for its “extraordinary support” after a fundraiser in his memory raised £224,474 from more than 7,900 donations.

Arday, 41, died in Battersea, south London, on August 14, shortly after resigning from his position as professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge amid scrutiny over plagiarism allegations. An inquest into his death is due to open at London Inner South Coroner’s Court.

The fundraiser, launched by Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, was closed on Monday at the family’s request. The money will support Arday’s family and cover funeral and memorial expenses.

In a statement, his family said Arday had dedicated his life to education, tackling inequality, widening participation, and championing autism and neurodiversity.

They also asked for privacy as they grieve, describing him as their “beloved son, partner, father, brother, uncle and friend”.

Arday, who became Cambridge’s youngest Black professor in 2023, will also be remembered through his memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, which is due to be published this week.

A vigil held in his memory in Trafalgar Square reportedly attracted more than 30,000 people, with speakers criticising the media scrutiny he faced before his death.