aROUnd 200 friends are expected to attend a fundraising charity auction and disco in memory of Bosbury father and "gentle giant" Stephen Jackson, who died in a car crash in July.

The event is being organised by Mr Jackson's family, who live in Ledbury and Bosbury, and will take place at the Pavilion Room in Ledbury Rugby Club on February 21, at 8pm.

Central to proceedings will be the auctioning of a soccer ball signed by the first team of Wolverhampton Wanderers. This was obtained by his friend Anthony Reynolds, as Mr Jackson was such a keen football supporter.

Proceeds will go to the NSPCC which Mr Jackson, father to eight-year-old Katey, supported.

Mr Jackson's uncle, Bob Panter, of Ballard Close, Ledbury, paid tribute to his nephew, calling him "one in a million".

He said: "He was 6ft 3ins tall, but gentle as a lamb; a gentle giant. He could never stand cruelty to children, so that's why we chose the NSPCC.

"He was always running round helping people. On the night be died, he had dropped all his friends off after visiting a night club, but he never drank himself.

"He was the Good Samaritan, there's no other way to describe him. He would always take his mother Jean shopping and he was always helping his sister Debbie, who has multiple sclerosis.

"He's obviously very much missed by everybody."

Mr Jackson was also a keen cyclist. Following his death, at the age of 38, his mountain bike was auctioned off for the NSPCC.

A total of 130 tickets have already been sold for the memorial disco.

Mr Jackson, a teetotaller, was also well known for volunteering to drive the Hereford United Supporters' Club minibus to away games, even as far as London.

Tickets for the fundraising disco are available on 01531 633775.