Crash victim's family: This song's for you, Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran, left, and Andrew Orr, who died when his 4WD vehicle left the road in Canterbury in May. Photo / Getty Images and Supplied

Ed Sheeran's Photograph has helped the family of crash victim Andrew Orr through some very hard times.

In memory of her beloved son, who died when his four-wheel-drive left the road in North Canterbury in May, Kristin Orr put together a video montage of friends and family holding pictures of the 23-year-old they affectionately called "Paddles".

The song has "come to mean a lot to so many of us since we lost Andy", his friend Kimberley Crayton-Brown wrote on Facebook.

She added the project was in memory of an "incredibly special person" but also aimed to thank Sheeran for the track.

Orr's family hoped the video would come to the singer's attention before his performance at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday.

Those close to the popular Canterbury University law and commerce student will gather at the concert.

"[Kristin] would love for him to see the video and the message she has recorded for him at the end of it."

In the touching tribute, Kristin and father Ken send Sheeran a personal thank you for writing Photograph.

Crash Victim Andrew Orr's mother Kristin (pictured) wants to thank Ed Sheeran

"You have no idea how it's helped with our healing. If you see this video, Ed, we would love the opportunity to thank you personally," it read.

She calls the poignant tune "Andrew's legacy song" and welcomed the British singer to come to their home in Ruakaka, near Whangarei, and visit her son's "garden of hope".

Orr was social officer of Canterbury University's Law Society, where he was known for his outgoing nature.

-nzherald.co.nz