THE next instalment of a unique charity fundraiser is set to take place at Colchester Town Hall.

The 1,000 Faces of Colchester is a campaign which has been set up to raise money for the Tom Bowdidge Foundation.

Photographer Gavin King has teamed up with Kerseys Solicitors to photograph 1,000 people.

Once the target has been reached, Kerseys will donate £1,000 to the foundation which was set up as a legacy to the brave and inspirational teeanger.

Colchester Rotary Club will host the next event in aid of the foundation during its annual International Students’ evening at the town hall next month.

Theresa Higgins, Colchester mayor and councillor for New Town, will attend with her escort, husband councillor professor Peter Higgins.

Colchester Rotary Club president Robert Macaulay said: “It’s a great local cause and we were inspired by Tom’s story to do our part.

"We would like to help raise awareness of the great work the foundation does, while inviting people to have fun at the same time.”

So far 574 people have had their photograph taken with messages supporting the campaign - including a team from the Gazette.

Anthony Wooding, Kerseys managing partner, said: “We are delighted the Rotary Club is supporting this campaign and it promises to be a great evening.”

Tom, a Colchester Royal Grammar School student from West Bergholt, raised £170,000 for charity before he died of stomach cancer, aged 19, in October 2013.

He had worked part-time at the Co-op in West Bergholt before he planned to go to university.

His parents, Nikki and Richard, and sister Emma, launched the foundation on what would have been his 20th birthday in 2014.

The foundation, with headquarters in Colchester, raises funds to support research projects and to provide physical and emotional support to teenagers and young people with cancer.

Tom's dad Richard Bowdidge said: “It’s great the Rotary Club is supporting our cause and that the mayor is also attending.

"It all helps raise awareness of the foundation’s work to help young people with cancer.”

• To take part in the 1,000 Faces campaign, e-mail karen.williams@kerseys.co.uk