IT was the ultimate celebration in memory of a Hampshire sportsman who was loved by so many.

More than 1,200 people flocked to a Southampton nightclub for a huge music night in tribute to a Romsey rugby player who died in a car crash.

In a night of intense emotions, family and friends of Macaulay Campbell gathered at Switch nightclub for a giant party two days before what would have been his 21st birthday.

The night – which follows a massive internet campaign aiming to set up the MacFest festival in his name – generated nearly £20,000 for good causes.

And his loved ones say last night’s event was a celebration to do him proud which he would have loved to have attended himself.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, Mac, 20, 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 shocked the Hampshire sporting community, 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 which they also hope to launch later this year.

Friends and family arrived at last night’s MacFest club night embracing each other in the queues, singing and cheering with some sporting T-Shirts bearing his image.

Many put on a brave face – determined to celebrate in memory of him – but for others the emotion was overwhelming and there were some tears as they filled the dancefloor for performances from DJ SKT, Toyboy and Robin and Charlie Tee who will all played for free.

Around 1,200 tickets were sold before the doors open – with the remaining 200 expected to have sold out on the door to meet the club’s 1,400 capacity.

Fleur, 22, from Hedge End, said: “I’m just overwhelmed being here and seeing all his friends here and knowing we are doing this for him.

"We’ve got to be positive and I know he would have loved it himself. We want to thank everyone, especially Switch.”

Mac’s cousin Jamie Evans, 32, from Winchester, said: “It’s incredible to see so many people have given their support. Mac was such a big personality and it has affected the family so much. But we are here to celebrate what would have been his 21st birthday.”

Fellow Romsey RFC teammate Pierce Fouch, 22, said: “It’s amazing to see how it has gone this far. He was such a great rugby player and a great person who had an amazing smile and always loved life.”

There were also bucket collections inside and facepainting.

All funds from ticket sales and proceeds from the bar were split between Romsey RFC’s chosen charity Ataxia – and Operation Smile.