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Family and friends of Tiarnan Rafferty raise cash for Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust

The family and friends of Tyrone man Tiarnan Rafferty, who died n Australia in February, have so far raised £82,000 for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust
The family and friends of Tyrone man Tiarnan Rafferty, who died n Australia in February, have so far raised £82,000 for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust The family and friends of Tyrone man Tiarnan Rafferty, who died n Australia in February, have so far raised £82,000 for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust

The family of a Co Tyrone man who died in Australia earlier this year has raised almost £100,000 for the charity that brought his remains back to Ireland.

Galbally man Tiarnan Rafferty died after his motorcycle collided with a car in a suburb of Sydney in February.

Mr Rafferty was later brought home for burial by the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT).

The Newry based charity was set up in 2013 to help return the remains of Irish people killed abroad and each year provides assistance to dozens of devastated families.

It is named after 26-year-old Newry man Kevin Bell who died after being knocked down in New York in 2013.

Mr Rafferty’s family and friends revealed this week that they have raised more than £82,000 for the trust in just four weeks through major fundraising events in Tyrone, Australia and the USA.

The latest event is a 10k run/walk between Killeeshil and Galbally in Co Tyrone which takes place this Sunday, September 30 - the same day Tiarnan would have turned 23.

Billed as the ‘Granny Rafferty’s to Galbally’ run/walk, it is expected to attract participants from across the country and will be followed by a draw and refreshments in Galbally Community Centre.

Tiarnan’s father Damien last night spoke about the impact the death of his son has had.

The grieving father said that when his son was born almost 23 years ago he was the “happiest and proudest man in the country”.

“On the 18th of February 2018 my whole world fell apart,” he said.

“When the phone call comes to tell you that your son has been killed in an accident 10,000 miles away there is emptiness and torment.

“What do we do? How do we get him home? The Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund was contacted and the support and help they provided in our darkest hour was astonishing.”

Mr Rafferty spoke about bringing his son’s remains home.

“The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust got Tiarnan home and the crowd that met the remains in Monaghan spoke volumes of the high esteem Tiarnan was held in,” he said.

Mr Rafferty revealed that a special family committee was set up just four weeks ago to raise cash for the KBRT.

“Family, friends and neighbours have been exceptional in helping us raise funds, which have been raised from Tyrone, to America and Australia.”

Mr Rafferty urged people to help to charity.

“The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust deserve to get as much funds as possible as they help a family in their darkest hour,” he said.

“Unfortunately who will be the next family to get that terrible call, but one thing I know is that the Kevin Bell Trust will be there and the first to be called apon.”

The charity run will take place on Sunday at 2pm starting in Killeeshil.

A fundraising skydive will also take place in America on the same day.

Businesses across the country have contributed to the fundraising.

A Just giving page has been set up for anyone who wants to make a donation, which can also be made through PayPal.