Russell Crowe donates nearly £3,000 to help student pay for drama school

Russell Crowe has donated almost £3,000 to a student who feared he could not afford drama school.

The Gladiator heartthrob was moved when he read about 23-year-old Harry Pritchard, a student from Yorkshire who started a GoFundMe to help him raise the £13,799 he needs after winning a place at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

The actor said he had once been in a similar situation and could not pay for drama school, telling fans “it took the wind out of my sails at the time”.

Read more: Russell Crowe offers Bindi Irwin his estate for wedding

To help Pritchard achieve his dream of becoming an actor, Crowe shared his appeal on Twitter and urged his followers to chip in.

“I was once in a situation like Harry,” he wrote.

“I couldn’t afford to go to drama school.

“While things worked out ok for me, it sure took the wind out of my sails at the time.

“If you can afford it, tip a little in and ... Let’s get Harry to LAMDA Drama School.”

In another post, Crowe tagged his friend Terry George, a Leeds-born businessman known for shows such as Secret Millionaire.

“There’s a lot of plans and dreams being shattered these days ... Will Harry succeed?” wrote Crowe, who is a Leeds United fan.

“He comes from Harrogate home of @YorkshireTea and I’m hoping he’s @LUFC. Thoughts @TerryGeorge?

“Fundraiser by Harry Pritchard: Get Harry to LAMDA Drama School.”

The actor, 56, then forked out £2,741 for the appeal, and George followed suit with a £1,000 donation.

Pritchard, who is from Harrogate in Yorkshire, said in his appeal that winning a place on a drama course after years of auditions was a “dream come true” but that paying for it was “a major hurdle”.

According to a story on Yorkshire Live, Pritchard said he felt like "my brain was exploding" when his mum told him what Crowe had done.

Read more: Russell Crowe shares footage from his fire-damaged property

"He probably doesn't realise it, but he's changed my life overnight,” he said.

"I'm still trying to process it. It hasn't sunk in – I've been watching his films for years and now he's changed my life just like that,” he went on.

"I can't think of him enough for what he's done. I just hope he knows how grateful I am."