Donations surge for Mountmellick charity fundraiser honouring man who died in New Zealand

Support is flooding in to a Laois family's charity fundraiser appeal, as they prepare for a huge night out in memory of a young man who died in New Zealand last year.

David McDonald's family are holding a fun music filled celebration in Moloney's Bar, Mountmellick this Saturday, May 10, kicking off at 6pm in the sunshine with Portlaoise band Transmitter. There will be a barbecue from 6 to 8pm and a raffle. Billy Meehan will follow Transmitter, playing from 9 to close. The entry is a requested €5.

The family are raising money for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, an Irish charity that covered the costs of flying home David's remains without delay, in time for his funeral back home, after he passed away from a brief illness on January 10, 2024. Read more here.

They set a target of €10,000 for the night out, but before it even happens, it has passed €9,000, in support of the late David and his family.

David's sister Lizzie Kirwan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live they are "flying it" with lots of raffle tickets sold.

"We are blown away by the phenomenal support from everybody. We are delighted to be able to give back to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. We were overwhelmed by the generosity from all our sponsors for the amazing raffle prizes and more prizes are still coming in. The Rock NS and Ballyroan are holding non-uniform days this Friday, everyone is behind us wishing us well.

"The generosity of people is so overwhelming. We know Dave would be beaming with pride watching the community and beyond coming together for such a wonderful cause in his memory," Lizzie said.

The raffle prizes include a pair of weekend tickets to Forest Fest, a Sonas Ray sound bar worth €300, a €150 Dunnes Stores voucher,  many more €100 vouchers and other prizes.

Buy a ticket via Revolut to Orla @orlar2fs5   1 ticket is €5, three are €10.   See the Gofundme fundraiser here.