Touching moment high school teacher whose wife died fights back the tears as his students club together to give him a $300 Nintendo Switch after he finds out his son is suffering with leukemia

  • Nathan Neidigk, teacher at Volcano Vista High School, could not afford to buy it 
  • This is because son is being treated with leukemia and has medical bills
  • The Math teacher's generous students clubbed together and bought the console

By Isobel Frodsham For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A high school teacher had to fight back the tears after his students clubbed together to give him a $300 video game.

Nathan Neidigk was left devastated by the loss of his wife a few years ago and recently discovered his two-year-old son is fighting leukemia.

Despite his heartbreaking loss, his 12th-grade Math students at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, say that Mr Neidigk still comes into class with a smile on his face every day.

Nathan Neidigk had to fight back the tears after his students clubbed together to give him a $300 video game
He is pictured looking very excited after unwrapping his gifts

Nathan Neidigk had to fight back the tears after his students clubbed together to give him a $300 video game

And as he is paying thousands of dollars for medical bills, Mr Neidigk was unable to purchase a Nintendo Switch that he had his eye on.

So his generous students decided to club together and purchase it for him.

It was initially planned to be a Christmas present but after revealing the plight of his son, his students handed him the present earlier. 

Touching footage posted on Facebook by Rick Sherwood shows the students gathering in a classroom and presenting the teacher with a large box.

While handing over the gift, one of his students says: 'So we're aware of your situation and we really wanted to help you out. So we all got together and we got you this.'

One of the sentences in the card reads: 'You have been our guidance through this unknown land called calculus, you are the strongest man we know! Everything will be OK.'

One of the sentences in the card reads: 'You have been our guidance through this unknown land called calculus, you are the strongest man we know! Everything will be OK.'

As he is paying thousands of dollars for medical bills, Mr Neidigk was unable to purchase the console

As he is paying thousands of dollars for medical bills, Mr Neidigk was unable to purchase the console

Mr Neidigk firstly reads the card from his class, which contains a long message.

One of the sentences reads: 'You have been our guidance through this unknown land called calculus, you are the strongest man we know! Everything will be OK.'

He begins opening the package, which is wrapped on the outside and each item is wrapped on the inside as well.

The class all laugh about how well wrapped it is before the teacher realizes what they have bought him.

'I wasn't expecting presents,' he says, 'Oh my God, you did not.'

Mr Neidigk's students then begin to clap as he grins.

'How? Seriously? Oh my word...' the teacher adds.

He begins opening the package, which is wrapped on the outside and each item is wrapped on the inside as well
'I wasn't expecting presents,' he says, 'Oh my God, you did not.'

He begins opening the package, which is wrapped on the outside and each item is wrapped on the inside as well

Blinking back tears, he continues to open further three packages, consisting of two games and a case for his new device
He adds: 'You know I just walk by the Switches at Target every time I'm there? Thank you, thank you so much'

Blinking back tears, he continues to open further three packages, consisting of two games and a case for his new device

Blinking back tears, he continues to open further three packages, consisting of two games and a case for his new device.

He adds: 'You know I just walk by the Switches at Target every time I'm there?

'Thank you, thank you so much.'

Referring to him using it at the hospital while his son is being treated, Mr Neidigk says: 'There are many more scheduled days and they have plug in TVs so I'll take this.'

Cory Dalton, a Volcano Vista student told Kob4: 'Mr. Neidigk is, like, one of the best teachers I've ever had, He's just a straight up good guy.' 

Mr Neidigk also spoke to the news station and said: 'These guys are awesome. I’m just incredibly overwhelmed with their generosity and support. It’s the guys and gals in my class that are the big reason that keeps me going during tough times.'

To contribute to his medical bills, click here 

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