The family of a young woman who died in Singapore last year have donated £3,500 to a charity which helps bring home the remains of Irish people who die abroad.
Lisa Orsi, 22, died in March 2015 after suffering severe altitude sickness while visiting a volcano in Indonesia.
Lisa, who was born in Donegal but lived in Derry for most of her life, had been working as a physiotherapist in Singapore when she died.
While trying to organise the repatriation of Lisa's body, her family were contacted by a charity set up a number of years ago following the death of a young Newry man in New York in 2013.
Kevin Bell, who was 26-years-old, was killed in a suspected hit-and-run incident.
Kevin's family received so much support following his death that they decided to set a charity in his memory to help families who found themselves in a similar heart-breaking situation.
Since being set up in 2013, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust has helped almost 200 families to bring home the remains of loved ones who have died abroad.
Several of those families have been from Derry, including most recently the family of Sister Clare Crockett, the Derry nun who died in an earthquake in Ecuador.
Following Lisa's death, her employer in Singapore paid for her body to be repatriated.
There was also massive fundraising campaign launched by Lisa’s friends to help pay some of her medical costs.
As a result, Lisa’s family did not need any financial support from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
However, Lisa's parents, Sharon and Denis, have never forgotten the offer of support and this week they handed over a cheque for £3,500 to the charity.
Kevin's parents, Colin and Eithne, travelled to Derry to Tuesday to receive the cheque from Denis and Sharon.
The money was raised through the sale of a GAA jersey created in Lisa's memory.
People who purchased the shirt have been encouraged to take it with them on their travels and then post photographs of them wearing the shirt on to a Facebook page set up to celebrate Lisa's love of travelling and enjoying life to the full.
Denis Orsi said he was delighted that to support the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
“When Lisa died, we were offered support from the trust but because of the fundraising campaign which had been launched by Lisa’s friends we did not to take up their offer,” said Denis.
“However, we never forgot the help that the trust had offered and we are well aware of the amazing work that they do to help families who unfortunately find the same tragic situation that we found ourselves in.
“Therefore, when we were deciding what to do with the money raised through the sale of Lisa’s shirts we thought it would be great to give it to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
“We are delighted that Colin and Eithne were able to come up to Derry to receive the money and we know it will be put to great use.”
At present, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust receives no government support, north or south of the border.
Everyone involved in the charity works on a voluntary basis.
Colin Bell will speak at the Oireachtas in Dublin today in a bid to secure some financial support from the Irish government to employ someone to help with administration of the organisation.
“Everyone involved in the Trust is committed to working on a voluntary basis, but it is getting to the stage where we are struggling to cope with the demand for our help.
“If we could get some support from the Irish government it would help a lot but we are determined that our work will continue either way.
“We want this work to continue in memory of Kevin.”
Eithne thanked the Orsis for their support of their charity, and said she noticed similarities between Lisa and Kevin.
“They were both beautiful redheads who loved life,” she said.
“They both loved travelling and enjoying life.
“Lisa and Kevin got great enjoyment out of travelling and some people may feel that what happened to them would make other parents want to keep their children at home and prevent them from going out to see the world.
“However, we feel that travelling is a wonderful thing for young people and we would encourage people to get out and live their lives.”
Meanwhile, the Live Life Lisa Orsi Foundation was launched last night in memory of the young Derry woman.
The foundation will involve a trip with up to 40 young Gaels from ten GAA clubs in the North West: Ardmore, Na Magha, Pearses, Steelstown, Doire Colmcille, Slaughtmanus, Sean Dolan’s, Craigbane, Claudy and Faughanvale.
The clubs will nominate young players who they feel will best represent their club and the foundation and who will travel to the Asian Gaelic Games at which Lisa had been a enthusiastic participant.
It is hoped that when they return from their travels, the young people will have a positive influence on their peers.
Trainees from Rutledge, a youth training organisation, have also been invited to participate in the initiative.
Denis said he believed the foundation, which was launched last night at an event in An Culturlann in Derry, said he believed the project was a fitting memorial to his daughter.
He said: “The Live Life Lisa Orsi Foundation aims to make the trip - which embodies Lisa’s own approach to life, encapsulating her love of Gaelic games, travel and adventure - inclusive and accessible.
“The young people selected to travel will contribute towards the cost of their trip and be actively involved in the Foundation’s ongoing community fundraising activities to encourage a positive attitude to sports participation and health and wellbeing.
“The Foundation also aims to promote an increased awareness of the need for organ donors and of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.”
Pictured above - Lisa's father, Denis, hands over a cheque to Eithne Bell. Also pictured are Colin Bell and Sharon Orsi holding the GAA jersey created in Lisa's memory.
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