Family ‘blown away’ by support to repatriate young Irish man who passed away suddenly in New Zealand

“fun-spirited” Maurice McCarthy passed away on April 8 in New Zealand

The family of a young Irish man who died suddenly in New Zealand said they are “blown away” by the support shown in helping get their loved one home.

The “beautiful, kind, and fun-spirited” Maurice McCarthy had been living in New Zealand since October 2019, “flourishing” there after making a home for himself.

Sadly, the 25-year-old Mullinavat man unexpectedly passed away on April 8, leaving behind a devastated family who have begun fundraising to help repatriate Maurice to make his “final journey back home”.

To help the family during a devastating time, a GoFundMe has been set up, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, an organisation that has been an “outstanding support” for the family.

The Kevin Bell Trust has been there to help countless bereaved families alleviate the financial hardship of repatriating the bodies of loved ones who have died abroad.

A post on the GoFundMe page thanked the Trust for helping to bring the “hugely popular character” Maurice home.

It said: “Maurice was a hugely popular character who was known and loved by so many in Ireland and abroad. Maurice made the move to New Zealand in October 2019 and to say he flourished there is an understatement.

“In his short 25 years, he touched so many lives and made so many journeys. It’s time now for his final journey back home to us in Mullinavat.

“The funds are being donated to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, who have been an outstanding support in this devastating time.

“We want to give them as much as possible so they can continue to help other families in our situation. We can’t express how grateful we are to Colin and the Bell family for helping to bring Maurice home to us.”

In a recent update on the GoFundMe page, the organiser thanked everyone for their kindness and generosity, adding that they were “blown away” by the support.

“On behalf of the McCarthy family, we are absolutely blown away by the support that we are receiving for the fundraiser,” the post said.

“Thank you so much to everyone so far for your kindness and generosity. We can’t express how grateful we are to you all.”

So far the GoFundMe has raised thousands and is just shy of its €95,000 target, having collected €93,600. To donate to the GoFundMe, head here.

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