Bereaved families to benefit from new charity in memory of tragic Peter Riley

Friday 05 June 2015

A charity will be set up in memory of 25-year-old Jerseyman Peter Riley, who died in Cambodia last month after Islanders raised almost £20,000 in an appeal to bring him home.

The charity will help Jersey families who lose a loved one overseas meet the cost of bringing their bodies home and paying funeral costs. Mr Riley died in the seaside resort of Sihanoukville on Monday 25 May while travelling in Asia.

His family launched an appeal to raise money to bring his body back to Jersey. So far, £6,507 has been collected, enough to meet repatriation costs, and any extra money will go to the new charity - meanwhile an online appeal has raised almost £13,000.

Family friend Allana Binnie, who helped organise the appeal, said: “Peter Riley’s family and friends would like to publicly thank all Islanders and donators for their support, generosity and efforts in coming together to bring Pete home.

“All fundraising events held over the weekend went exceptionally well and Pete’s family were so very touched to see the turn out. Photos and videos were sent to his sister Jess and friends in Cambodia to help them through this difficult time and they were very well received.

“Although we are still receiving notice of collections and donations, we can confirm that due to the exceptionally outstanding response of our Islanders in relation to the fundraising events held over the weekend and various collections, cake sales etc last week, a total of £6,507 was raised.

“This included funds raised from events at the Soleil Levant pub and Havana nightclub, including from staff who generously donated their tips, and cakes sales held at people’s works. However, we believe there is still more to come with upcoming events in the next few weeks. The good news is that we now have enough money to bring Pete home and any excess funds will be spent on his funeral costs and thereafter, put towards the formation of a charity in his name to help other local families in similar situations.

“Further details of the funeral and charity are to follow but our main priority at the moment is getting Pete, Jess and friends home from Cambodia safely.”

Another fundraiser will be held on Saturday at the Soleil Levant pub in Bath Street from 4 pm, which will include live music from John Beaton and a raffle draw.