Larne fundraiser to support Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust in memory of Ryan McCann

The event in memory of Ryan McCann will take place on Saturday, June 13 from 7pm, with all proceeds going to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

After graduating from the City of Glasgow College as a Marine Engineer, Ryan, who was 30, had begun working for a company supporting offshore wind farms in the North East of England.

Tragically, Ryan passed away in an accident on September 26, 2025, just a few days before he was due to return home on leave to see his family and friends.

Daire Taylor, organiser of the fundraising event said: “I personally knew Ryan for around 18 years, having met him in first year at St MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower, and we remained close friends ever since.

"Ryan was someone who made friends everywhere he went. He had a great sense of humour and was always the life and soul of any gathering. In recent years, Ryan had also developed a real passion for music, particularly playing the guitar. He became a talented player in a short space of time and was always looking for opportunities to play with others.

"One of the main reasons we decided to organise this memorial fundraiser was to bring people together to celebrate Ryan’s life, share memories and stories, and remember the positive impact he had on so many different groups of people throughout his life.”

As Ryan passed away in England, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust played a vital role in helping return him home to his family. "Until a family experiences a situation like this, most people do not realise how complicated and stressful the repatriation process can be,” Daire added. “The support provided by the Trust helped ease some of the burden on Ryan’s family during an incredibly difficult time, which is why we felt it was important to support the charity through this fundraiser.

"The fundraiser itself will feature live music from Ryan’s family and friends, along with a quiz and raffle, creating an evening that reflects the type of atmosphere Ryan enjoyed most - bringing people together through music, laughter, and good company.

"The GoFundMe page has already raised over £1,000, which shows just how much support there is for both Ryan’s family and the work carried out by the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.”

Donations towards the event in memory of Ryan can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ryan-mccann.

"Whether people knew Ryan personally or simply wish to support a charity that helps families during some of the most difficult moments imaginable, we would encourage everyone to come along, share memories, and support a very worthwhile cause,” Daire said.

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust is a charity organisation that provides much-needed assistance to families affected by the death of a loved one overseas.

It was founded in 2013 by Colin and Eithne Bell after the loss of their son Kevin in New York.