MORE than 1,000 young people will unite at a Hampshire nightclub for a huge music night in memory of a talented Romsey rugby player who died in a road crash.

Family and friends will emotionally pay tribute to Macaulay Campbell, known as Mac, at a club night organised in his honour at Switch nightclub in Southampton.

The landmark gig tonight is two days before what would have been his 21st birthday, and is the next step towards his loved ones’ dreams of hosting a festival in memory of the 20-year-old.

Now club owners say the night - which follows a huge internet campaign to set up the MacFest festival in his name - will be a sell-out and raise nearly £20,000 for good causes.

As previously reported Mac, from Rownhams, died when his black VW Lupo was involved in a collision with another car on the A3057 near Romsey Golf Club at about 10.30pm on Saturday, February 20.

It was just hours after the Romsey RFC star won man of the match in a top of the table clash.

The former Mountbatten School pupil’s death rocked the county’s sporting community and those in the Romsey and Southampton area, with hundreds of mourners attending his funeral at Romsey Abbey.

And Southampton singer Craig David, Bestival and Common People head-honcho Rob Da Bank and Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw were among the celebrities offering to do all they can to help MacFest – an idea launched by Mac’s girlfriend Fleur Gollogly and his brother Sam.

A crowdfunding website set up also topped £18,000 towards the cause.

The MacFest club night features performances from DJ SKT, Toyboy and Robin and Charlie Tee who will all play for free.

More than 1,100 tickets have already been sold and organisers believe they will sell out and reach the club’s capacity of 1,400 while bucket collections and face painting will be held to fundraise.

It will raise nearly £20,000 which loved ones are considering putting towards charities and groups developing young rugby players.

Romsey RFC coach John Lee, who trained Mac from a young age, said: “It’s great to see the young people coming together to do something in Mac’s memory.

"It was supposed to be his 21st birthday but there will still be a celebration of his life.

"Rugby was a big part of his life and its touching his passing may help youngsters develop in the sport.”

Switch has also offered to pay towards travel and accommodation for the musicians' travel and close family.

Ryan Keary, runs the venue and is a Fareham Heathens rugby club player who fondly remembers facing Mac on the pitch.

Ryan said: “It’s going to be a really emotional night for his friends and family. We have already sold 1,100 tickets and we believe it is going to sell out over the next few days raising £15,000-£20,000.

"We wanted to give something back to the community and put money towards good causes and create positives from an unfortunate circumstance.

"Hopefully it can be made an annual event and create a little testimonial every year.”

See macfest2016.co.uk for tickets or search MacFest on Facebook.