Jack Ryan: Aussie dies suddenly while on gap year in the UK, as friends fundraise to bring him home

A young Aussie gap year student who died suddenly while working in the UK has been remembered as a 'true gentleman who inspired so many', as his devastated classmates have launched a fundraiser to bring him home.

Jack Ryan, 18, was working at the Dulwich Cranbrook school in Kent, south-east England, as part of the popular Letz Live gap year program when he collapsed in the bathroom of his on-site accommodation last week.

A cause of death is still unknown and his father, Peter, is flying to the UK to find out what happened.

Mr Ryan was an accomplished cricketer and rugby player who graduated from King's School in Parramatta in Sydney's west last year.

He had accepted a place at Newcastle University to study teaching following his gap year, but was also considering settling on the Sunshine Coast to be near his family and to start a trade.

His devastated school friends have set up a GoFundMe page to 'bring him home', which has so far raised almost $40,000.

James Peters, who was Mr Ryan's housemaster at Macarthur Waddy House, described him as an 'excellent cricketer' and said he was 'always keen to serve others'.

Jack Ryan (pictured with his mum, Kate), 18, was working at the Dulwich Cranbrook school in Kent, south-east England, as part of the popular Letz Live gap year program when he collapsed in the bathroom of his on-site accommodation last week

Mr Ryan was an accomplished cricketer and rugby player who graduated from King's School in Parramatta in Sydney's west last year.

'He was one of the loveliest kids we've had come through the school,' Mr Peters told Daily Mail Australia.

'He arrived in year 11 and within three terms he had made the house his own.

'He was voted in as the house vice-captain for MacArthur Waddy, which is pretty incredible in such a short space of time.'

'He was always looking to serve his mates and go above and beyond in the boarding house.'

Mr Ryan's mother, Kate, thanked those who had donated to the fundraiser and offered their family support.

'We didn't realise he had touched so many lives,' she said.

Mr Ryan's grandfather, James, described him as a 'self-assured, honest, confident, loving, kind, loyal, caring man whom so many fortunate individuals came to call a mate'.

Mr Ryan's grandfather, James, described him as a 'self-assured, honest, confident, loving, kind, loyal, caring man whom so many fortunate individuals came to call a mate'

Pictured: Mr Ryan with his mum Kate, younger brother Tommy and his dad Peter at a school function

'I came to realise that he had become the product of input from so many sources, loving parents, his brother and forebears, knowledge from Bolwarra Primary, H.V Grammar, Kings College and his Macarthur Waddy family coupled with his innate decency, talent, gregarious nature and spontaneity,' he wrote in a moving online tribute.

Before boarding at King's, Mr Ryan attended Hunter Valley Grammar School where he played rugby union for the Maitland Blacks and for the Northern Suburbs Cricket Club.

'A true gentleman that inspired so many - on and off the field,' the club said in a statement.

'Jack will always be dearly missed by all that were privileged to have known him.'

A spokesperson for Letz Live said the company was 'devastated to hear of the loss of Jack Ryan, who tragically passed away whilst in the UK'.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family and friends during this difficult time and we are providing support to those affected by this tragedy,' the spokespersona dded.

'In order to afford the family their privacy, no further statement will be made at this time.'

Daily Mail Australia approached Cranbrook Dulwich school and the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.

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