Coleraine family's sponsored walk will help work of repatriation trust

By Q Radio news

The family of a young Coleraine man who took his own life in London earlier this year is to hold a sponsored walk on the north coast to aid the work of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. 

(This 10 minute documentary was created by Cara Hunter one of Zachary's close friends for her end of year dissertation. It features mental health professionals, MLA's and two of Zachary's closest friends, Tom Arnold and Mollie Makhsous-Abkenar talking about the lack of professional help available to Zachary whilst he was growing up. We hope that it is able to send a message through the community that more needs to be done in relation to mental health services.) 

The KBRT is the only charity of its kind on the island of Ireland and has helped repatriate the bodies of hundreds of Irish people who have died suddenly overseas. 

Twenty year old Zachary Geddis, who had struggled with mental health issues since he was 16, died in March at his university accommodation.

His sister Yasmin told Q News of the pain the family had to bear as they traveled to London to clear out his accommodation and organize to bring their loved one home.

Says Yasmin, who is full of praise for the Newry based charity: "We were told that it could take 2-3 weeks through the normal channels for us to be reunited and to hold a beautiful funeral for my brother. 

A family friend contacted the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and we received an email from them asking where my brother was located.

This was the only contact we had with them. A team travelled over to London, collected my brother and brought him home to us on Thursday 23rd March. He was brought home via ferry and was never left alone, which is something that comforts me as he was looked after and his final journey home was dignified". 

Yasmin says the KBRT does not ask for payment - they simply ask that we hold a fundraiser for them.

"On June 18th - we will be holding a Sponsored Walk starting at 12pm at Downhill Beach walking to Benone for refreshments and then walking back down. 

I have also set up a GoFundMe page in aid of Zachary and the KBRT to help me raise funds so I can contribute back to them, after being live for just a short time I have raised over £1,100 my target being £1000".

More than 500 people attended Zachary's funeral - a testament to the many lives he touched in the community.

Yasmin says she wants to use this platform to help others and raise the awareness that not all wounds are visible & more needs to be done within the mental health sector to stop another sister from burying her little brother.

Since the family tragedy she has been invited to schools to talk to the students about mental health as a sister, who was a protector of her brother since he was born.