Funds help family bring sister home
FRIENDS and family of a woman who died in Singapore said they have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from the local community as the fundraising total reached £20,000.
Former Calder High School pupil Sarah Royle, 31, fell to her death from a balcony in the country last month.
Her sisters Johanna and Premsa, who both live in Todmorden, were faced with paying tens of thousands of pounds in medical costs.
Family, friends and the local community in the Upper Calder Valley rallied round and organised events to raise funds to help the two sisters. A bank account was also set up at the Halifax for donations.
Julia Curtis, a friend of the family, said the money raised means that Sarah's body can now be flown home.
The funds raised will also cover the cost of the funeral, solicitor's fees and the air fare to Singapore.
She said: "It's been a phenomenal effort. We can't believe the extent of the funds that we have managed to raise.
"It's amazing what people have managed to do in a recession.
"Both myself and the family are absolutely blown away by the support we have had from the community."
The family has arranged for Sarah's body to be flown home and they are hoping to have a funeral in the next couple of weeks.
Julia said that further fundraising events are scheduled to be held over the next few weeks. Any money which is left in the Sarah Fund after all the costs have been met will be donated to charity.
She said that friends and family will be looking to create a permanent memorial to Sarah.
She thanked Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker for stepping in to help the sisters.
As well as contacting the insurance company, Mr Whittaker raised the sisters' plight in the House of Commons and asked David Heath MP, deputy leader of the house, to take it up with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Mr Whittaker said: "I wanted to highlight the case with the FCO to see if they can make sure the sisters are getting the right help.
"I think this has all put a burden on them at a time when they need time to grieve, and get Sarah home for a proper burial."
An auction held at the Cross Inn, Heptonstall, last weekend raised more than 2,500 for the Sarah Fund.
Owen Sullivan, who runs the pub with his wife Lisa, said: "It was an absolutely amazing night.
"Thank you to everybody for coming and to all those who took part."
Owen and Lisa thanked the more than 20 local businesses who sponsored the event, which was attended by boxers Amir Khan, Barry McGuigan and Richard Dunn.
A stall on Hebden Bridge market last week raised more than 800. Second hand items were donated by friends, family and people from the local community.
Organiser Ella Welsh said: "It was absolutely fabulous."
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
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Wind direction: West
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