Adriaan Roodt, 17, who lived in Yass and attended Campbell High School in Canberra, had his life cut short last week after an incident involving a log during physical education class at Mount Ainslie.

Adriaan died in hospital after the incident, which is being investigated by police.

A GoFundMe page set up on Friday has raised more than $28,000 by almost 500 people. The $15,000 target was  reached in just one day.

The year 10 student had just celebrated his 17th birthday. He had just got his P-plate licence and was due to have his braces removed last Monday.

Lezanne Smith, a fellow South African expat and friend of the Roodt family, set up the fundraiser to help the family pay for Adriaan's funeral.

She said Adriaan was "at his happiest" before his death, having just refurbished a car with his father and passed the test to receive his driver's licence.

He had recently started dating Ms Smith's daughter Jenna Smith.

The Roodt family moved to Australia from South Africa when Adriaan was eight, along with his younger sister Christelle.

Tributes have flowed in for Adriaan and the Roodt family.

One donor said, "Rest In Peace Adriaan, had so much fun with you out on the soccer field, such a beautiful soul."

"As a Campbell High and North Ainslie Primary family, we are deeply saddened by this tragedy. We are so sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences," another person wrote.

Another said, "Fly high precious boy, my love, thoughts and prayers are with your family."

On Tuesday, ACT Policing said they were still investigating the incident.

The GoFundMe page is at https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-amp-memorial-adriaan-roodt.