Audiences raise more than £6,000 in memory of Norfolk actor Gary Higgs

Gary Higgs, one of the many photographs being posted on Gary Higgs' Facebook page in his memory. (Image: submitted)

Twenty-three-year-old Gary Higgs had been due to appear in the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society (NNOS) production at the city theatre last week. It was to be his third NNOS production, but Mr Higgs had to step back from rehearsals shortly after Christmas for health reasons. He died the day the show opened, just days after marrying his wife Stephanie Moore who had also been due to star in the show.

The NNOS dedicated the production to Mr Higgs, who was from Holt but living in Norwich, and held a collection after each performance for the Norfolk branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. In total, £6,156 was raised and the society has rounded the amount up to £6,200.

NNOS chairman David Pulling said: 'The whole society is amazed at the generosity of the audiences and would like to say a big thank you. I would also like to praise the cast and crew for their professionalism and determination to make the show a fitting tribute to Gary. The management and staff at the Theatre Royal have also been absolutely incredible in their support of NNOS and the collection.'

Mr Higgs' wife Stephanie described the fundraising as a 'wonderful legacy' in her husband's name.

'We are still fundraising online and that amount is up to nearly £900, pushing the total to about £7,000 which is incredible,' she said.

'I went to see Anything Goes on Saturday. They did an absolutely amazing job and made both Gary and I very, very proud.'

Mr Higgs' mother Julie Higgs said: 'Steve (Mr Higgs' dad) and I are absolutely astounded by the amount of money raised. We just know how much good that money is going to do for families in Norfolk coping with cystic fibrosis.'

• To donate funds visit www.garyandstephaniehiggs.co.uk