The life of a longstanding Swindon headteacher who died earlier this year has been celebrated at a special fundraising event. 

Keith Defter was the headteacher of Commonweal School for 19 years before retiring in 2017.

Rather than fully enjoy his retirement, the well-respected education figure remained involved with the Swindon school, working as a coordinator of the Education Strategy Partnership.

Keith was at the school supporting staff training as recently as January this year, but in April he was admitted to hospital with leukaemia and later died at the age of 63.

Now the popular teacher's life was celebrated with a cabaret event taking place at the Old Town Bowl in Swindon Town Gardens on Thursday (June 22).

Performers taking part in the cabaret include current and former students of the school as well as staff members. 

Tickets were free, but the event is being held to raise money for Brighter Futures, the official charity of the town's Great Western Hospital. 

An advert for the event said: "We would like to invite you to a cabaret and bring-your-own picnic to celebrate the life of former Headteacher of the Commonweal School, Keith Defter. We are raising money in aid of Brighter Futures to donate to Great Western Hospital." 

In a public letter published on the school’s Facebook page at the time of Keith's death, the current headteacher Chas Drew spoke fondly about his predecessor.

“I am writing with the sad news that Keith Defter passed away last week.

“Keith was Headteacher at Commonweal for 19 years. When he retired, he continued to work with us as coordinator of the Education Strategy Partnership. As recently as January Keith was in school to support staff training.

“Keith was a dear friend to many and will be remembered very fondly by the whole school community. So much of what Commonweal is, is Keith's legacy.

“He was the driving force behind Commonweal becoming a Performing Arts School and behind the establishment of C6.

“He was the man who as much as anyone showed us the values to live and work by. Keith was only 63, until very recently he was as active and energetic as ever, he was admitted to hospital with leukaemia some weeks ago.

“The school’s condolences go to Keith’s family."

Tickets for the event sold out.