FAMILY and friends of a popular Lowestoft teenager who died in a crash in west Norfolk will unite on Boxing Day for a special fundraiser.

Exactly nine months on from the death of much-loved 19-year-old Taylor High, and with more than �10,000 raised for numerous good causes in his memory, the latest fundraiser will take place on December 26 at the Ole Frank pub in Oulton.

Taylor was killed in a road accident on March 26 – and ever since then his parents, Elaine and Gary, have been raising money for the Taylor High memorial fund, to support community projects, worthy causes and deserving local people.

On Boxing Day, Taylor's cousin Ritchi High will have his beard shaved, there will be raffles organised by friends and Taylor's brother Curtis will perform a number of songs in the afternoon.

Mrs High told The Journal: 'Ritchi has been growing his beard and he will be having it shaved on the day having already raised a fantastic �1,800 for Taylor's fund. One of Taylor's friends will be donating signed t-shirts and memorabilia, another friend will be giving us a donation and Curtis will be playing from 2pm onwards as we make an afternoon of it.

'Everyone is welcome to attend as we continue to raise money in support of Taylor's fund.'

In a letter to The Journal this week (see Postbox on pages 20 and 21) Mrs High called on people to remember their 'loved ones' at Christmas.

On Wednesday, Taylor's inquest was held at Norwich Coroner's Court and coroner William Armstrong described Mr High as an 'amazing young man'.

The court heard how Taylor was killed when travelling in his best friend's car on March 26, when his friend Jamie Gibbs crashed into oncoming traffic on the A17 while trying to overtake a van.

Last month Mr Gibbs, of Hall Road in Oulton Broad, was spared jail at the request of Mr High's family. The 21-year-old was given a 12-month suspended sentence, was disqualified from driving for four years and was ordered to pay �500 court costs after admitting death by careless driving.

At Wednesday's inquest, the coroner recorded a verdict of death caused by a car collision. Norwich Coroner's Court heard Mr Gibbs was travelling at over 50mph on the A17 King's Lynn to Sleaford Road at Clenchwarton when he swerved across the single carriageway.

Mr High was in the front passenger seat of the Renault Clio and as Mr Gibbs came back into his lane after overtaking traffic he lost control of the car.

Traffic investigator PC Nicholas Kett said: 'There was insufficient space to slow the vehicle, putting him (Mr High) into the path of the oncoming Peugeot. 'The driver tried to steer to the left, but didn't have enough time or distance to avoid the collision.'

He said the crash was 'a direct consequence of ill-judged overtaking'.

PC Richard Peck told the inquest Mr Gibbs lost control on the sweeping left hand bend after overtaking several vehicles.