Charity help Limerick family 'navigate darkest waters of grief’ after tragic death in Canada
A cheque for €25,000 presented by late John Lyne's parents, sister and brother-in-law
THE FAMILY of a Limerick man who died in a road traffic collision in Canada have presented a cheque for €25,000 to the charity that brought him home to his loved ones.
John Lyne, aged 38, of Woodlawn Park, Ballysimon Road tragically lost his life on Highway 22, near Calgary during an unexpected snow shower on April 30.
A statement from John’s parents Pat and Theresa Lyne, sister Claire Greaney and brother-in-law Ken Greaney thanked the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT). They said John had lived abroad for the last 10 years, but his heart never left his family and friends in Limerick.
“While the loss of John has left us in despair, the KBRT gave us a spark of hope, when we needed it most. They helped us navigate the darkest waters of grief, and we are eternally grateful.
“John's first love was travel and he had visited over 50 countries. He had such a zest for life and genuine connection with people from all over the world, which was evident in the outpouring of grief and love after his passing.
"His last flight, AC800 from Toronto to Dublin Ireland on Saturday, May 11 would not have been possible without Colin and Eithne Bell, and the trust,” say the Lyne family.
Once they had laid John to rest, the Limerick family said they knew they had to give back to KBRT and set up a GoFundMe, with an initial goal of €10,000.
“The generosity that we saw within four days was truly humbling, and we raised our goal to €25,000. We were extremely grateful to announce in June, that due to the overwhelming response and effort, we reached our fundraising goal,” they said.
This month, Colin and Eithne Bell travelled to Limerick where the Lyne family said they had “the honour to present the cheque for €25,000 to them in the Fairview Rangers Club”.
“These funds will help KBRT to assist reuniting more families in the future with their loved ones.
“On the same night, Roger Connolly and Pat Keegan of Fairview Rangers FC presented us with a pennant in memory of John, which will be on display in the clubhouse.
“We as a family, are forever grateful to KBRT for bringing John home, Fairview Rangers FC and to everyone who supported our appeal,” said the Lyne family.
On Sunday, June 16, 2013, 26 year old Kevin Bell from Newry was killed in a hit and run accident in New York. While navigating the grief and heartache of losing their son and brother, the Bell family founded the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
It aims to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families repatriating loved ones who have died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances.
The repatriation process can cost several thousand euro, and until this trust was established, families had to pay themselves. The charity has brought home over 1,800 people, and that number continues to grow.