Crowdfunding target for tragic Angus man is smashed in hours

SUPPORT: More than £10,000 has been raised to give 21-year-old amateur footballer a fitting send-off

A crowdfunding page set up to give Arbroath man Bailey Mearns the “sendoff he deserves” smashed its £10,000 target within hours.

The popular 21-year-old amateur footballer, who was also known as Bailey Menmuir, died last week after going missing.

His disappearance triggered a poster campaign and appeals across social media for his safe return.

However, after a five-day search, his body was discovered on an area of land at the back of Demondale Road, just a few hundred yards from his home, on January 10.

Following the discovery, hundreds of people gathered in St Andrew’s Church to remember him at an event described as “standing room only.”

Now, a team of six people have raised thousands of pounds in just a matter of hours.

A statement on the fundraising page said: “We’ve decided to set this up in memory of our great friend Bailey Menmuir.

“It was obvious to us all last week when he went missing, just how much he meant to so many people.

“His warm personality made him very popular with so many different people throughout Angus.

“He was always the life and soul of any party, and loved to make people laugh,” it said.

“His loss has affected everyone so deeply that a number of people have asked how they could help.

“Due to the overwhelming offers of support shown during this devastating time, we opened this page to allow us to give Bailey the send-off he deserves on his final journey.”

Arbroath East and Lunan independent councillor Lois Speed said the response “demonstrates the love and high regard that people had for Bailey.

She said: “Amidst these absolutely tragic circumstances, comfort and support should be taken from the way in which the community have come together, first of all in the search for Bailey but also in their financial support in giving this young man the send-off he deserves.

“The fact that so much has been raised in so short a time demonstrates the love and high regard that people had for Bailey – I think he would have been proud.

“I also hope that from this we can recognise just how important it is to end the stigma of mental health once and for all, and make it easier for people like Bailey to get the help and support they need.”

Picture: Paul Reid. After a five-day search Bailey’s body was found near his home in Arbroath.

Bailey Mearns died last week after going missing.