The family of the young Derry man who died suddenly in New York earlier this week are overwhelmed by the thousands who have offered them messages of support.
Patrick Friel Curran.
Patrick Friel Curran (23), from Ballymagroarty, died in a Brooklyn Hospital on Tuesday after taking ill the previous Sunday. His father, Damien, had been by his bedside after flying out after learning of how ill Patrick was.
Patrick’s passing has not only devastated his family and friends here, but also those in New York who have joined in the fundraising campaign to bring him back home to Derry.
The Patrick Friel Curran Memorial Facebook page, set up to raise funds to help Patrick’s heartbroken family return him home, has received almost 5,000 visitors since it was set up just 36 hours ago.
Fundraising nights in aid of the fund will take place in Mason’s tomorrow night and in Pitchers this Saturday night.
A hastily-arranged fundraiser was held last night in the Old Village Inn Bar in Nyack, New York.
The event was organised by Patrick’s close friend in New York, Ni Loo.
She said: “We are trying to get him back to Ireland and get him to his loved ones.”
One of the biggest largest donations towards the fund is being made by the staff and owner of Cafe Soul in Derry’s Shipuay Street. In amazing gesture, the staff have donated their wages to the fund while he owner will hand over the entire day’s takings.
Patrick was a well-known bar man in his home town, working in restaurants such as Quay West and Fitzroys. A member of the Foyle Valley Athletic Club, he ran and completed both the London and Derry Marathons held in April and June last. He had planned to run the London Marathon on 3 November next.
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