Mayo community rallies to repatriate beloved café owner's body
A fundraiser to repatriate the body of a beloved Belmullet café owner to his native Poland has received over 400 donations in two days.
Marcin Grzegorczyk, who ran the Bike Café on American Street in Belmullet, has died following a long illness.
The Polish native was a well-loved figure in the Erris community.
Friends of Grzegorczyk have launched a GoFundMe to help his young daughter, Julka, bring his body home to Poland.
Fundraiser organiser Katarzyna Noworyta said Grzegorczyk passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side.
She said Julka was "the most important person in his life, his greatest pride and inspiration."
"Our biggest wish is to bring him home to Poland, where he can be laid to rest close to his family and friends, and where Julka can say goodbye to her dad properly," Noworyta said.
Organisers said the cost of repatriation - covering paperwork, funeral home fees, transport and funeral expenses - is more than the family can manage alone.
"Everything happened so quickly, and none of us were prepared for the financial burden that comes with arranging bringing a loved one home," Noworyta said.
Any funds raised beyond the repatriation costs will go towards keeping the Bike Café open, she added.
Noworyta said the café was "not just a business" but a place Grzegorczyk built "with passion, warmth and heart" - somewhere people met, talked and felt welcome.
The fundraiser has raised almost €12,000 from over 400 donors in two days, reflecting the depth of feeling for Grzegorczyk in Belmullet and beyond.
"We are incredibly grateful for every donation, every share, every message and every kind word during this heartbreaking time," Noworyta said.
"Please help us bring Julka's dad home."