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It just gets better, the spirit, goodwill and friendly nature of the people of Newry, South Down, South Armagh and indeed beyond shone through once again both last night and today.
Last night at Greenbank Estate well over 1000 people decended on the once Industrial heartland of Newry to participate, spectate or just help out with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Run/Walk writes Brendan Monaghan.
The event had been hastily organised after the untimely death of Kevin in the Bronx area of New York and once again the spirit of a community in mourning was evident for all to see with a vast number of participants showing their support for the Bell family.
Kevin's friend Niall Duffy addressed the huge crowd standing at the gates of Pairc Esler in a sometimes emotional speech that drew a lenghty applause in honour of Kevin who sadly lost his life away before his time.
Some decided to walk, others opted for the run but it didn't really matter as the 1000 strong field filled the long straight which stretches the length of Greenbank in a mass of colour, a heartwarming spectacle indeed.
A group of Kevin's friends kicked off the event accompanied by new Lord Mayor Mickey Ruane and for the next hour and a half the Rampart road was a scene of colour, fun, goodwill and humour.
Congratulations must go to the organisers, marshals, P.S.N.I, volunteers and of course the participants who all made it a night to remember.
Another £16,000 was raised and will go straight into the fund, once again the people of Newry and the surrounding area have shown that a loss to part of our family is indeed a loss to us all.
On a separate fundraiser Newry Mitchels GFC organised a Big Breakfast in association with Bellinis this morning with Bellinis generously providing breakfasts absolutely free of charge in lieu of a donation to the Repatriation fund from 8am which raised many more hundreds for the Fund.
Hundreds of visitors from near and far turned up to support the event with a spell from eight to nine when you could hardly move in the bar.
Tonights Bosco Concert at Newry Town Hall will not only raise funds for Africa but also for the Repatriation Fund.
Kevin's Funeral is tomorrow Saturday at 11.15 from his home at 30 Ashton Heights for Requiem Mass at 12 noon in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Cloughogue. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
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