MORE than £5000 has been raised to help transport the body of a Glasgow acting student back to his family in Malawi. 

Timothy Chiwaula's heartbroken loved ones have asked for support in covering the costs of repatriating the 23-year-old's remains after he was pulled from the River Clyde last week. 

Now, his friends and family have donated thousands to support his "grieving grandmother", who wants to see her grandson one last time. 

In an online fundraiser organised by the Association of Malawians in Scotland (AMS), a post reads: "His ageing grandmother would like to see Timothy for the last time and would like to bury him in Malawi. In such terrible circumstances, Association of Malawians in Scotland (AMS) wish to raise funds to assist Mrs Norah Chiwaula McLintock, Timothy’s mother, with funeral expenses to repatriate the body back to Malawi.

"The family through the AMS need urgent assistance and If everyone can just contribute a little, it will be a great help in these incredibly sad times.

"AMS wishes to ask you all to please help in raising funds for Norah so that she can take the body of her loved son to his final resting place in Malawi.

"As Malawians in Scotland, we are saddened in the manner Timothy's life has been taken from us and we will miss Timo's love of life. Timo will be missed by his fellow students at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and all those who were close to him."

Described as one of the "warmest, funniest and most charismatic people" in the city, Timothy was a popular student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) and with Dennistoun's Glasgow Saints FC.

Kyle Burgess, sporting director at Glasgow Saints, said: "All at Glasgow Saints F.C. are devastated to hear the tragic news of the passing of our dear friend and player, Timothy 'Timo' Chiwaula.

"Timo was one of the warmest, funniest and most charismatic people to grace our club & the impact of this loss leaves us lost for words.

READ MORE: Tributes paid to Glasgow student Timothy Chiwaula

"Hugely popular with all at the club, both on and off the field, Timo embodied everything this club stands for, positivity, a welcoming and accepting attitude to everyone he met and an expression of the beautiful game which was a joy to behold." 

To donate to the fundraiser, which is aiming to raise £8000, visit here.