MUSICIANS and friends will unite to raise funds in memory of a young man just before the first anniversary of his death.

Performers and a fire-juggler will entertain crowds at Cash Converters in Braintree on Saturday at the event for Corran ‘Coz’ Powell, 21, who died following a car crash on December 7 in Braintree Road, Gosfield.

Coz’s Ibanez guitar is also being auctioned online after his family had it signed by metal band, Bullet For My Valentine.

Money raised from the event will go towards the Land For Coz charity, which Coz’s family started in his memory.

Donations have already topped £30,000 and funds will be used to fulfill Coz’s dream of buying some land to use as a free venue for charity events, outdoor survival courses and music events for new artists.

His mum Gennie, of Greenfields, Gosfield, said: "All the first anniversaries are looming ahead of us and Christmas will be very, very different this year.

"This fundraising day is giving us all something positive to focus on at a time when the positives are truly difficult to find.

"Alastair and Kraig and all the staff at Cash Converters have worked so hard to ensure this day is a success.

"Coz was so proud to get the job at Cash Converters, it was his first proper interview and he was completely prepared to treat it as a learning experience and, given the high number of others interviewing for the post had no expectation of actually getting it.

"To now have all the staff joining us in our efforts to keep Coz’s dreams alive is moving to say the least."

She added: "Coz would love this tribute to his memory.

"He made many friends whilst working at Cash Converters and the fact that they are planning to have live music in store on the day would ‘tickle him pink’.

"If he were here he would be running round enthusiastically drumming up support.

"I can’t express how comforting it is to have people fundraising for him through their own initiative."

Zac Podlesny, assistant manager at Cash Converters, said: "It was awful what happened to Coz, he was loved by everyone and no one had a bad word to say about him."

Everyone is welcome at the event at the store in New Street, Braintree, from 9.15pm to 5.30pm on Saturday.

To bid for Coz’s guitar, visit webshop.cashconverters.co.uk/auction-item/1086537/ibanez-rg-series-rgr321ex-belonged-to-corran-coz-powell-signed-by-bullet-for-my-valentine.

To donate to Coz's charity, visit gofundme.com/LandforCoz.