Newcastle man (33) is laid to rest after illness

Newcastle man (33) is laid to rest after illness

1 February 2023

THE funeral for a Newcastle man who died from a rare kidney condition took place on Friday.

Alan McDonald (33) died peacefully at Craigavon Area Hospital last Saturday following a diagnosis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in Christchurch, New Zealand, last year.

A requiem Mass was held at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Newcastle before his burial at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Bryansford.

Mr McDonald had been unwell before his health deteriorated and needed urgent hospital care in New Zealand before he was well enough to return to Northern Ireland.

His sister Anna Poland set up a GoFundMe appeal last summer to raise treatment funds and get the medical help he needed.

There has been an outpouring of tributes for Mr McDonald on social media since his death, with one post describing him as a “gentleman” and another praising his “inspired fight” against the condition.

“I worked with Alan in New Zealand,” one post said. “Alan was a great guy liked by all he had a great sense of humour. He will be missed by us all here in NZ.”

Mrs Poland told The Irish News that she was “heartbroken” to have lost her only sibling.

“The support that he received from everyone throughout his illness was almost overwhelming,” she said.

“Alan always said that when he was well enough he wanted to thank every single person who helped out. It meant so much to him and to all of us. He was loved by so many and we take great comfort from that.”