| The body of Marek Smrs (21), who lived at the Woodley Caravan Park with many of the other seasonal workers from Eastern Europe, was discovered by local woman Sue Smith.
The following day, Arbroath teenager Adam Gallagher appeared at the town’s Sheriff Court charged with his murder.
Sue has since set up an appeal to raise money to help Marek’s parents — who are expected to arrive in Scotland today to formally identify his body and make the necessary arrangements for his funeral — and already many hundreds of pounds have been donated by locals and visitors alike.
She said, “The Marek Appeal Fund has only been running for a few days, but already I have been deeply moved by the generosity of the decent people of Arbroath, the local businesses and, it should not be forgotten, the young people from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and so on who have also given what they can afford.
Donations to the appeal can be sent to The Marek Appeal Fund, PO Box 15, Arbroath, DD11 1AA, or can be made at any branch of the Halifax/Bank of Scotland by quoting account number 00045023 and sort code 11-45-24.
Arbroath funeral directors George Stewart Ltd have also offered their services free of charge to the family, whether they wish to have Marek laid to rest in Scotland or have his remains repatriated to his native country.
A spokesman said, “We do not know what this young man’s family’s financial position is, but what we do know is that, at a time like this, the last thing they should have to worry about is cost.
“Aside from the unavoidable fees, we would be keen to give whatever help we can offer to the Smrs family, free of charge.”
Two years ago, the firm provided a similar service to the family of young Latvian doctor Leo Petrov, who died following a road accident near Arbroath and whose parents were unable to travel to Scotland for the funeral.
Local businessman Peter Stirling, who employs a large number of young Eastern European workers on his farms and at his Abbey Fruits processing plant, has also decided to make a substantial contribution to the appeal fund.
A spokeswoman for the company said that, although Marek did not work for them, all the management and staff were shocked and a donation would be made on behalf of the company. |
