Culcairn father-of-eight Glenn Cook died last Monday in a head-on crash with a truck.

He left behind three high school-aged children who also lost their mother two years ago.

Mr Cook, 53, was farewelled by about 400 people at the Culcairn Football Club on Wednesday. 

President Brendan Sheather said he had been a big part of the club, with his children playing football and netball. 

Mr Cook often volunteered his time for the team. 

“One of the guys at the council and Lions Club organised a meeting last week,” he said. 

“The group got together to see what we could do for the family. 

“The idea of ‘Cookie’s jar’ was one of the things we came up with. 

“It’s taken off from there.” 

The jars are being placed at businesses throughout the region. 

Mr Sheather said the 53-year-old’s death had been “a pretty big shock to the whole town”. 

“Glenn’s family has been through a pretty rough trot,” he said. 

“The kids lost their mum two years ago – they don’t have a mother or a father. 

“They’re in high school and we want to raise money to make sure they can get their education. 

“We want them to have an education without having to worry financially.

“We're looking to raise a big total. 

“We’re not just trying to raise a couple of thousand dollars, we’re aiming for as much as we can get.” 

The fundraising campaign is expected to run for six to eight months. 

Mr Sheather said Mr Cook was often one of the first people to put his hand up to help others. 

“He was a big man with a big heart,” he said. 

“He’d do anything for anyone and didn’t want any thanks. 

“He was just a normal guy you could count on to do whatever was needed.” 

Albury Spice owner Dora Kouvelis is one of those who has taken a fundraising jar. 

She is donating the sales of fascinators and scarves to the cause and has already raised cash. 

“We had a supplier send us all these fascinators for free,” Ms Kouvelis said. 

“We put something on Facebook to see if there were any families doing it tough. 

“We thought we could see them off and give the money to someone who needs it. 

“A few people mentioned these poor kids who had lost their mother and father. 

“It’s a terrible thing that’s happened. 

“They’ve lost the most important things in their lives.”