Norris’ friends raise tuition funds in his memory

Friends of Eric “Octopus” Norris, a mixed martial artist who worked at a Fountain Valley gym until he died in a boating accident this summer, plan to host a garage sale Sunday to raise funds for martial arts programs for underprivileged children.

The sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at South Coast Martial Arts, 2990 Grace Lane, Costa Mesa. Item donations will be accepted from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Mike Dunn, a longtime friend of Norris who works at Anytime Fitness in Fountain Valley, said proceeds will help pay for students’ tuition at a number of area studios.

“Eric was my best friend and he was an avid martial artist, and he loved kids,” Dunn said. “I thought, what would be a better way to honor him than to do something like this?”

Among the items already donated are bicycles, furniture and clothes. There will also be a bake sale and barbecue.

For more information, call (714) 968-9966 or visit https://www.ericoctopusnorris.com

Michael Miller