ANDREW Spencer was a hugely talented and gregarious young actor and dancer who died suddenly this summer aged 33.

He was a big character who lit up stage productions with local companies and, more importantly, made friends wherever he went.

And those friends are working hard to make sure his memory and his zest for life are not forgotten.

Next Friday a fund-raising event – entry £5 – will be held at the YMCA Rugby Union Club at Salendine Nook.

There will be music, the chance to buy an early Christmas present or two, plus a raffle and an auction.

The aim is to produce the kind of fun event that Andrew would have loved while raising money for The National Society for Epilepsy.

The driving force behind the event is Louisa Lefevre, who knew Andrew since childhood.

She said: “I started dancing when I was about four with Audrey Spencer, Andrew’s auntie.

“Andrew was a little bit older than me and in the class above me, although we did dance in some of the troupes together.

“He was in Huddersfield Light Opera Company’s production of La Cage Aux Folles this year and I was helping backstage, dressing the cast. He was brilliant in it.”

Louisa, who has appeared with Woodhouse Operatic Society and Huddersfield Light Opera, hopes the event will bring together many of those who knew and worked in musicals alongside Andrew.

Miscellany, the group of singers brought together by Shepley’s Cath Stephenson, will provide the music, including no doubt some of the show songs Andrew knew well.

Louisa, who is at home in Longwood on maternity leave with her six-month-old baby, will be selling products from the Body Shop At Home range with15% of her profit given to the charity.

She has raffle prizes from Greenhouse Florists in Lindley, Brosters Farm Shop, the Cedar Court Hotel and The Body Shop, with auction items given by companies such as Titanic Mill Spa in Linthwaite, The Galpharm Stadium and the Lawrence Batley Theatre. And Louisa promises some auction surprises which could just be worth the £5 entry price.

The 200 tickets are selling fast and the entry price includes supper.

If you’d like to go call Louisa on 01484 647374 or 07855 466550 or email louisasmith2002@hotmail.com