Fundraising night in memory of Jamie Peppard

The family of 22-year-old Jamie Peppard from Laytown who died in Australia a year ago will hold a fundraising night in his memory tonight in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust which offered incredible assistance to the family at what was a most difficult and heartbreaking time.

A past pupil of Laytown NS and Gormanston College, Jamie was the son of Mary Peppard and Anthony McDonald and brother to John, Eamonn, Helena and Jenny. In 2014 Jamie, like thousands before him, set off on his travels, joining his older brother John in Perth.
He thoroughly enjoyed his time away and gave regular updates to his friends and family at home. However, on 13th November last year, Jamie was involved in a workplace accident, where he fell from scaffolding, after suffering heat stroke.
Jamie’s brother John was by his side and his mother and father rushed from County Meath to be by his bedside. The community, family and friends rallied behind the family to help as much as possible. While initially it was hoped Jamie would make a recovery, sadly he passed away on 23rd November last year.

 

At such a heartbreaking time, the idea of dealing with the bureaucracy and financing bringing Jamie home was unimaginable.
But two amazing charities stepped in, The Claddagh Association and The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
A member from the Claddagh Association remained with Jamie’s brother John in the hospital until his parents arrived. Then when the worst happened, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust stepped in to assist the family in getting Jamie home.
Jamie was cremated in Perth and his mother Mary carried on his final journey home. This was all made possible by the generous people who donated to the go fund me page set up at the time and the support from the two charities above.
Since the trust was founded three years ago, it has assisted in the repatriation of the remains of some 210 Irish people. The trust was born out of another family’s loss. When Kevin Bell passed away after a car accident in 2013, his family fundraised to assist with the cost bringing him home. Since then the family have used the remaining funds raised at that time and the thousands of other funds raised since to provide this amazing service.
“November will mark Jamie’s one year anniversary, his memory lives on every day in those he touched. We want to celebrate it by saying thank you. Thank you to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. It is to this end that we have organised a night in memory of Jamie in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust,” explained family friend, Eileen Rushe.
The fundraiser takes place tonight (18th November) at 8.30pm in Odd Mollies Bar, Drogheda. Music is being kindly provided by Ciara O’Neill, Shane Whelan, Chris Brady and DJ Chris.
Prizes for a raffle on the night have been donated by numerous local businesses; tickets will be €2 a line or three for a €5. Prizes will be from The City North Hotel, Reddans of Bettystown, Nans Café, Loud Ink, Fuschia, Freckles Children’s Wear, Baz Black Piercings, The Glenside Hotel, Westmanstown Garda Sports and Conference Centre, Brian Reynolds Mace, Ocean Vanity Beauty, Nando’s and A&S Fitness.
Tickets are €10 and available at Nan’s Café Laytown, Reddan’s of Bettystown, Clarkes Bar Drogheda or by calling Eileen on (087) 7207632.