The family of Shortland Street actor Francis 'Frankie' Mossman have begun fundraising efforts to bring his body home to New Zealand following his tragic death on August 14.
A GoFundMe page started by Francis' brothers Jeremy and Laurence Mossman has, at the time of writing, raised over $12,000 of its $15,000 goal.
"Francis' mother's final wish is to see her son one last time before he is laid to rest. With your help and generosity, we want to make this happen for her," Laurence wrote of his brother, who was living in Sydney at the time he died aged 33.
"The money raised here will contribute towards bringing Francis back to NZ and the funeral costs.
"Francis was an energetic force and much-loved brother and son. He was a well-respected member of the acting community and found a supportive and endearing family community in Sydney. His smile and energetic presence will be sorely missed by those lucky enough to have known him," Laurence continued.
"We recognise that COVID-19 has put additional stresses and financial pressure on many, so any manageable donations towards Francis' funeral and repatriation costs will be greatly appreciated and help our family during this difficult time."
A family representative shared an Instagram post on Francis' account on Saturday, stating the actor endured "so much pain" alongside a photo of him as a child.
Alongside his role as Taylor in Shortland Street, Francis was also known for his roles in the web series The Horizon and TV series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
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