Born out of tragedy, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust has helped thousands of bereaved families across the island of Ireland with the emotional and financial hardship associated with bringing home the body of a loved one who has died suddenly or tragically while abroad.

In 2013 at the young age of 26, Kevin Bell had achieved a J1 Visa and was just beginning to find his feet in New York when he was tragically killed in a suspected double hit-and-run as he made his way home to his apartment. Set against the background of this personal tragedy, Kevin’s family created the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust in his memory which has helped thousands of bereaved families across Ireland in their darkest hours

Most of us have friends and family just like Kevin who have left home to experience new cultures and experiences and as some of you may know, like Kevin, I also spent some time living and working in New York on a J1 Visa. It is for these reasons that when my employers Elliott Duffy Garrett chose the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust as their Charity Partner, I felt a deep urge to do something to support their work.

As a small contribution to this worthy cause, I have decided to dedicate this St Patrick’s weekend to running 50km through the Boroughs of New York starting at Woodside, Queens where I lived and finishing at the memorial bench dedicated to Kevin at Rory Dolan’s Bar in Woodlawn, the Bronx, the neighbourhood where Kevin lived.

As someone who has never ran a marathon before, let alone an ultramarathon, this will undoubtedly be the most difficult feat I will have attempted but knowing that I am doing so for such a deserving and worthy cause that any one of us may need to rely on one day will spur me on.

For more information on the work done by this amazing charity visit https://kbrtrust.com/ .

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.