Professor Jason Arday’s family have said they are “deeply moved by the extraordinary support” after a fundraiser launched in his memory topped £224,000.

Prof Arday, 41, resigned from his post as professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge earlier this month after he faced intense scrutiny over accusations of plagiarism.

He was found dead in Battersea, south London, on August 14 and an inquest will be opened at London Inner South Coroner’s Court at 12pm on Wednesday.

Sir Patrick Vernon, who played a leading role in the successful campaign to establish a national Windrush Day, set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding page following Prof Arday’s death to help support the academic’s family – with £224,474 raised through more than 7,900 donations.

The fundraiser was closed to donations on Monday at the family’s request after passing £224,000, with Sir Patrick saying the funds will go towards providing financial and practical support for the family as well as meeting funeral and memorial expenses.

In a message on the page on Tuesday, Prof Arday’s family said: “We are deeply moved by the extraordinary support we have received.

“The response to this appeal reflects the number of people whose lives were touched by our beloved Jason and the affection, respect and admiration in which he was held.

“Jason devoted his life and career to advancing education, widening participation, tackling race and inequality, and championing autism and neurodiversity.

“It means a great deal to us that so many people wish to celebrate his life and remember the difference he made to others.

“We are still grieving the loss of our beloved son, partner, father, brother, uncle and friend. We hope you will understand our need for time and space as we come to terms with this devastating loss and consider how best to move forward.”

Sir Patrick was one of several public figures, including Green Party leader Zack Polanski and crossbench peer Lord Simon Woolley, to sign an open letter supporting Prof Arday as he faced mounting scrutiny from the press.

Prof Arday’s memoir, Great And Unfortunate Things, is due to be published in the UK on Thursday.

Simon & Schuster announced on Monday that his book will be released as planned, with his family saying: “It is only right that we honour his wishes.”

Accusations of plagiarism were initially made against Prof Arday, who became Cambridge’s youngest black professor in 2023, by academic Nathan Cofnas.

Mr Cofnas, who has advocated for “race realism”, was last week suspended from his post at Ghent University.

The Belgian university announced a preliminary disciplinary investigation has been launched after saying Prof Arday’s death “should prompt reflection”, adding the institution “opposes discrimination, hatred and racism”.

Last week, organisers said more than 30,000 people had attended a vigil for Prof Arday in Trafalgar Square, central London.

Speakers at the vigil criticised the press coverage of Prof Arday, with MP Diane Abbott saying he had been the subject of a “vicious” and “bitter” campaign by people who did not believe a black man should be a Cambridge professor, and Lord Woolley describing it as a “public execution” and a “lynching”.