Rachel Kay: Community Rallies for Barmaid's Send-Off

0:00It's April 3rd, Lester News. Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. A 37-year-old barmate from Preston named Rachel Kay has passed away while on holiday in Benadorm. She was found unresponsive at her accommodation on the morning of March 29th during a trip with friends. A mum of two, Rachel was well known around town for working at spots like the Bears Paw. Her sister Denise set up a GoFundMe page to cover the high costs of bringing her body back to the UK for funeral arrangements. So far, 446 donations have pushed it close to 13,000 pounds, aiming for 20,000 pounds total. The family describes the loss as unbearable, especially for her young kids, partner, twin brother, and parents. Preston's community has rallied hard, with Rachel's dad Mick calling the support overwhelming and a point of pride for the city. Friends and locals have shared heartfelt messages about how love she was, turning grief into action to get her home.

1:01They're planning a Rachel Kay Funday on May 3rd across several pubs like the Heskith Arms and Hogarths to honor her memory and boost the fund. This outpouring shows how one person's light can spark a whole community's fire, making sure Rachel gets the send-off she deserves right where her.