A Christchurch deputy principal suffering from an aggressive form of cancer is humbled by the lengths his pupils have gone to in raising money for him.

Steve Hart, of St Thomas of Canterbury College, has been battling a rare form of appendix cancer for about a year. His appendix burst last August and a tumour was found.

Five weeks later he had more surgery to remove part of his bowel and then had six months of chemotherapy before travelling to Sydney in April for further surgery, where three more tumours were removed.

The 36-year-old father of four young children has been unable to work since last year and did not have medical insurance.

Several fundraising efforts have been held by the school and Hart's family and friends, including a celebrity cricket match.

Year 13 pupil Liam Gallagher said Hart was a decent bloke who had put a lot of time into the school.

"It's pretty much a St Thomas' thing to look after the community," he said.

St Thomas' business manager, Hamish McCombie, said about $100,000 had been raised from the school and community.

Hart, who has worked at the school for 10 years, said the boys' goodwill was "absolutely amazing".

He said his latest scan was clear and he would return to work in two weeks.

Tickets to a pupil-organised Rocky Horror Picture Show movie night at the school at 7pm today can be bought at the school office or at the door for $10.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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