When the group and other friends of Mr Znotins found out that his family was struggling to afford the funeral, having just had to pay for their mother's a month ago, they started organising to crowdfund the service with a website and a fundraising car cruise from Phillip to Gungahlin.

Old school mate and fundraiser-organiser Jessica Willetts, 18, said on her way to deliver flowers to the family home that Mr Znotins had been rocked by his mother's death.

"He's just lost his mum a month ago, she'd been sick for a while and when he lost her he was really upset," Ms Willetts said. "It's just devastating that the family has had another loss."

She said family members were still in shock, and the financial worries just added to the ordeal.

"I just want to raise money for him, all of us together we can do it. We've raised $2400 in 24 hours. if we can get more people to help, others will kind-heartedly do it," she said.

On the online crowdfunding page Ms Willetts said the fundraising was to honour Mr Znotin's memory.

"This is our way to thank Zach for all the memories he gave us, all the love he showed us and all the time he had for us," Ms Willetts wrote.

Mr Znotins had a Facebook page about him called "Zachary Znotins gives great hugs" and had just graduated from Hawker College late last year.

"Zach was basically a teddy bear, everyone had good moments with him, he was fun to be around. He was always there for people and would help you no matter what the situation was," Ms Willetts said.

He died in the car he loved - a white Commodore. After knocking off at his new job at Canberra's Calvary Hospital he hit a tree while driving 20km west of Yass about 11.30pm on Monday night on his way to a friend's house at Binalong.

Gungahlin cafe The G Spot has pledged to give 20 per cent of the value of food bought by Just Cruisin car club members to the family for the funeral. Donations can be made online at mycause.com.au/page/ourhelpforzach.