The parents of Lowestoft teenager Taylor High have been recognised for years of outstanding charity work at a specially organised surprise party.

Eastern Daily Press: Taylor High, who died in a car crash at the age of 19. Picture: SuppliedTaylor High, who died in a car crash at the age of 19. Picture: Supplied (Image: Archant)

Gary and Elaine High have worked tirelessly to support local people since 2011, when their 19-year-old son Taylor died in a car crash.

They subsequently decided to form the Taylor High Memorial Fund, which has raised nearly £100,000 for good causes.

Today's event was held at Corton Hut and organised by Pork Farm Foods, whose 'Surprise Pop-up Party' campaign aims to celebrate the efforts of unsung heroes who make a difference in local communities.

Mr and Mrs High were nominated by Phil Franks from Kendon's Flowers and Plants, who regularly support the charity.

Having received over 17,000 nominations from across the UK, Pork Farm Foods selected Mr and Mrs High as one of five winners of a surprise party.

The gathering came as a complete shock to the pair, who were welcomed by a host of friends and family.

'Phil said he'd like to meet us at the pub to talk about organising an event, so when we walked in and everybody shouted 'surprise', we thought we'd walked into someone else's party,' said Mrs High.

'When we started to recognise people and realised why they were here we got really emotional - to be one of only five winners is incredible.'

Fundraising by the memorial fund during the last six years has included charity football matches, fashions shows and generally helping those in need.

'Everyone here has helped us so much over the years, and there are even more who couldn't make it today,' said Mr High.

'Taylor was a very well-liked and fun-loving person and so many people came to his funeral; we thought we'd have to do something in his name and we've been able to help some lovely people in the area.'

Kim Burgess, head of markets at the Addo Food Group which runs Pork Farm Foods, said: 'With this campaign we wanted to celebrate the selfless things that people do.

'It's really hard to choose winners because all the nominations are deserving, but we chose the Taylor High Memorial Fund after researching all the good work they have done.'