A Go Fund Me page set up just a couple of days ago to help bring home the body of a well-known Donegal musician from America has been swamped with love and generosity.
Ballyshannon Kieran Whelan sadly departed this world on Saturday 8th January in Baltimore, Maryland USA.
With the blessing of Andrea and the Whelan family a group of Kieran’s friends set up this Go Fund Me donation page.
The aim of the fund is to assist the family with expenses in relation to funeral and repatriation costs over the next few weeks while we await Kieran to be flown home to Ireland and onwards to his eternal rest in his beloved Ballyshannon.
The page was set up by Kieran’s friends including Enda McFadden.
The initial aim of the fund was to try and reach €10,000 in order to pay for the flight and all associated expenses.
But through the generosity of more than 570 donations, the fund is set to pass more than €25,000.
The Kevin Bell Trust are also assisting Andrea (Kieran’s sister) and the family with arrangements in the USA and Andrea would like any surplus funds to be donated to the Kevin Bell trust who have been so good over the last few days.
Organiser Enda said “All our thoughts are with Kieran’s family and friends worldwide at this very sad time. Rock On Brother! You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Kieran was a huge part of the Rory Gallagher Festival in the town and was also the frontman of well-known local outfit The Skins.
All donated funds will be withdrawn into my account and will then be transferred to Andrea Whelan (Kieran’s sister) to be allocated to the various costs in relation to the funeral and repatriation process.
Once costs have been met, any surplus will then be donated to the wonderful Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.