COLLEGE students have launched a fundraising campaign in memory of a friend who died after her body rejected a heart transplant.

Pathways students at Darlington College of Technology were devastated when Rachel Wakeford died earlier this year.

Known as a gentle giant, she had to have a heart transplant in 2001 after contracting a viral infection when she was 14.

Despite taking 22 pills a day for her new heart, her body rejected the organ and she died in February.

Her friends are now using Rachel's memory as inspiration to help the British Heart Foundation and, as a course project, have been coming up with ways to raise money, including a college charity lottery.

Pathways is a full-time college course for students not ready to embark on vocational studies. It enables those students with few or no GCSEs to improve their qualifications while they decide which route they want to take.

Rachel had missed a lot of school because of her health problems, but was hoping to join the Business Administration Foundation course.

College tutor Alison Prior said: "Rachel was an important member of the Pathways project and we were all very sad when she suddenly died.

"She is now our inspiration and the fundraising is also part of the course-work, so it will help charity and go towards everyone's qualifications."

The students have fond memories of Rachel. "She was like a big sister to me," said Christine Whattam.

"We called her the gentle giant," said Haylee Johnson.

"We are determined to raise as much money as possible for the British Heart Foundation in memory of Rachel, our friend," said Andrew James.