Ghost fans decided to get proactive after one of their own died at a concert on May 31 – and achieved much more than they’d hoped for.

Jeffrey Fortune, 52, collapsed at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee after Ghost had completed the first act of their show. He received medical attention at the scene but was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital. The band canceled the remainder of the show out of respect.

The fan group Ghost American Ministries launched a GoFundMe page on June 3 with the intention of raising $1,000 for Fortune’s family. Three days later, the total was approaching $9,000, after other groups added their support.

“He was our brother in Ghost,” Ghost American Ministries said on the page. “He will be missed greatly by his family, friends and fellow fans. So lets come together, together as one, and show our love and support for the Fortune family in their time of grief.”

Fortune's family described him as “an amazing person, artist, poet, musician, as well as a tortured soul” with “kind with a bright shining soul." “He saw beauty in the darkest of places and often visited/dwelt in those places at times," they said. "He alternately referred to himself as ‘Hell on two legs, walking’ and also ‘a child of God.’ Please let everyone know how touched and grateful our family is to each and every one of you for helping us through this time. We feel the waves of your prayers and thoughts and Jeffrey would have been touched and amazed beyond belief at the warmth and kindness and prayers.”

Ghost cut their show short just hours before the release of their new album, Prequelle. “We decided not to continue out of respect to him and his family," the band said at the time. "Ghost and all who work with us ask that you please send the family your thoughts, prayers and respect their privacy during this time.”

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