Cash pours in to bring Gary home

A campaign to bring home the body of a Paisley man who died unexpectedly while staying in Australia has raised over £11,000.

Gary Baird, from Linwood, was planning to move home to Paisley for good in time for Christmas. But friends reported that Gary passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 30.

Gary leaves behind mum Lorraine and sisters Debbie and Kerry.

Hundreds of well-wishers have contributed to the online campaign to ‘ bring Gary Baird home’.

The GoFundMe page received £11,377 within five days of being set up, with 418 people contributing.

Gary’s friend Cheryl Morrow, who founded the fundraising page, said the campaign had had a ‘ truly amazing’ response.

Writing on the fundraiser page, Cheryl said: “Anyone who knew Gary knew he was the most kind and generous person in the world. Let’s get him home to Linwood and give him the send off he truly deserves.”

Cheryl then took to Facebook to thank everyone who donated to the cause.

Cheryl wrote: “Genuinely can’t believe we smashed £10,000. Gary Baird you are a true legend.

“We are still fundraising - repatriation is upwards of £ 6.5k plus funeral costs so the more we can raise the better.

“Thank you to everyone who donated and shared. Truly amazing.”