TODAY the SNJ is launching a fundraising campaign in memory of Jack Mitchell, the young soldier who died at the Warehouse in Stroud.

Alongside Jack's family, we want to raise £1,000 for the Kenyan orphanage that inspired the 24-year-old while he was in the country with the army.

Jack, from Stroud, who was a gunner in the 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, became passionate about the orphanage while in Kenya for six months from July to this January, and also helped the villagers by delivering clean water to them.

His mum Kate said helping the orphanage via the fund would mean so much to her son.

“He was especially affected by the conditions of the local orphanage," she said. “Jack and his fellow soldiers spent a lot of their free time helping out and provided much-needed items.

“We think Jack would really like this idea, and that it would be a fitting way to remember him and all that he cared and felt passionately about”

Jack’s grandmother said he may have moved to Kenya one day.

“He was a brilliant grandson, I can’t say enough how much I loved him – there’s now a real gap in my life and I’ll miss him forever," she said.

"A light has gone out in all our lives and we are less for it.

“He always used to say to me ‘come on, you can do it’ and that’s what I remember every day – he was very special.

“We figured that Jack would actually move to Kenya at some point, he felt so at home there, we knew he is very happy and loved helping the children he met.

“Any money raised will go to projects he cared about in Kenya, whether this is to help bring clean water to villages or to help the orphanage directly.”

Jack rang his father Julian, chairman of Painswick RFC, to say that as he sat overlooking the Great Rift Valley in Kenya he felt connected with his ancestors, saying ‘this is where we came from’.

Jack’s sister Jasmine and mother Kate both paid tribute to him via social media in the days following his death.

The 24-year-old died at the Warehouse nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, February 5 following an alleged assault.

A 28-year-old man from Stroud was arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed until May 3 pending further enquiries.

The club has had its music and alcohol licences suspended for 28 days by Stroud District Council while a full review is conducted after an application from police.

Hundreds of people have paid tribute to Jack on social media, mourning the loss of a beloved son, grandson, teammate, soldier and friend.

Jack attended Cashes Green Primary School and then Archway, and he played rugby for Painswick RFC.

Commenting on his death, a police spokesman said: “It is likely that a number of people would have witnessed the incident and anyone who hasn’t yet come forward should call 101 and quote incident 39 of Sunday, February 5.”

The family will be making an announcement soon with the final details of what a fitting memorial for Jack will be.

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/JackMitchellStroud to donate in memory of Jack.