'Massive support' for memorial fundraiser for Laois man who died in New Zealand

The father of a young man who tragically died while working in New Zealand said there has been ‘massive support’ for an upcoming Tractor and Truck Run in his memory on the first anniversary of his death. 

Tom Clear’s son Seán tragically lost his life while working on machinery in New Zealand on February 17, 2023,  just days before his 25th birthday. 

His death led to an outpouring of grief and also meant his heartbroken family had to figure out how to repatriate Seán’s remains from the other side of the world. They were assisted by the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, a charity established by Colin Bell following the tragic death of his son Kevin in New York eleven years ago. 

“There was one phone call to Colin Bell and three phone calls later all was sorted…it was so quick how it was done,” Tom recalled.

He and his family want to do their bit for the charity which doesn’t receive any funding and relies solely on donations. 

Last year they helped raise €9,500 for the charity. A Coffee Morning at the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise, where Seán’s mother Julie works, raised around €6,000 and then Seán’s local GAA Club, Clough/Ballacolla donated a further €3,500 for the charity with the proceeds of the gate from their Division 1 home league game. 

Seán, who loved machinery, farming and travelling, had worked in Australia for a few years before returning home and travelling to New Zealand in the Autumn of 2022 prior to his death in February 2023. 

“From knee high to a grasshopper it was all tractors and trailers with him,” Tom explained. 

“From the time he was three years of age he was always into it,” he said.  Tom recalled how Seán would go to work on local farms after school and during summer holidays. 

Seán’s love of machinery and farming continued and although he worked for a year with his father at Doyles Wholesale, Castlecomer, Tom said, “he had to get back on the machinery” and so he left.   

Tom said the Tractor and Truck Run seemed a fitting way to fundraise given Sean’s love of machinery and his connections with people in the world of machinery and farming. A raffle that’s being run as part of the fundraiser has already raised over €6,000 and big prizes continue to be added. 

There is also a link on the raffle page where people can donate directly to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Tom asked anyone who donates directly to take a screenshot so it can be added to the total. Screenshots can be sent by Whatsapp or text to Tom on 087 272 2765.   

There will be two routes for the Friends of Seán Clear Tractor and Truck Run with both heading towards Abbeyleix but with the tractors veering off at Kilbricken and the trucks out towards Ballinakill. It's expected the run will take an hour and a half to return to Ballacolla.  

“We do believe there is massive support, not just in the county but outside as well,” Tom said. 

He knows  other families will need the same help the Clear family received from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. 

“We want to get as many people to turn out on the days as possible,” he said. 

The friends of Seán Clear raffle page outlines how important the charity was to the family. 

“We lost our beloved Seán in February of 2023 while he was living his dream, working and travelling the world. His final destination turned out to be New Zealand,” the fundraiser set up by Seán’s friends and family states. 

“The realisation of how far away from home he was, was both daunting and heartbreaking.  We were lucky to be able to contact The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust quite quickly, one phone call to Colin got the ball rolling to bring our boy home,” they wrote.   

“We can never thank them enough, for the help they were to us, at the worst time of our lives.  All we can do is ensure that there are funds in place for the next family who find themselves in these horrific circumstances.  Many thanks for your support,” they said. 

The Tractor and Truck Run will take place on the anniversary of Seán’s death on Saturday, February 17. Registration takes place in Clough/Ballacolla GAA grounds on the day at 3pm.

The Tractor and Truck Run will be followed by the raffle and music and entertainment in Coach O’Learys. 

A link to the fundraiser can be found here: https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/FriendsofSeanClear

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust  has helped repatriate the remains of around 2,000 Irish people who died while overseas. 

The charity doesn’t receive any State funding and relies on donations and fundraisers such as the one being held in memory of Seán Clear. 

 Details of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust can be found online at: https://kbrtrust.com/