A fundraiser in memory of ‘social animal’ and ‘all-round good bloke”, Si Spencer, has surpassed its £6,000 target and is set  to top £8,000.

The unexpected and sudden death of the much loved  59-year-old, has left family and friends ‘shocked’ and ‘devastated.’

A decorated writer, Spencer most notably wrote for comics but was also a prolific author, playwright, and TV Scriptwriter.

Long-time friend, Fiona Stephenson, who set up the GoFundMe for Si to provide his grieving wife Colleen with financial security, said: “He was friendly, generous, funny, and very intelligent

“I first met Si through Nostalgia & Comics in Sheffield in the ’80s.

“I was a Saturday girl and my boyfriend, now husband Dean, worked part-time in the shop.”

Spencer also worked on comic mags such as Deadline and 2000 AD, calling the latter his ‘home for many years’ as well as writing for the prestigious Judge Dredd Megazine.

In a memorial to Si on their website, employees of 2000 AD said: “Strident, creative and incredibly intelligent but always friendly, funny and welcoming, Si will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, his inventive writing was filled with great characters, abstract ideas, enthralling phantasmagoria, and – above all else – a great sense of humour.”

The fundraiser is currently at a target of £8,000, and a total (upon writing) of £7,561, with no sign of stopping.

John McCrea, donor and friend, said: “Si was one of the good ones, the world’s a sadder place without his charm, humour, and smarts. Miss ya, big fella, and hope this helps ease the burden on Colleen.”

If you would like to help out, you can donate here.