Fundraiser launched for funeral costs after Athlone teen's tragic death

A fundraiser that's been launched to help meet the funeral costs of Martin Greene, the Athlone boy who tragically drowned last weekend, has raised more than €3,700 in less than 24 hours.

The GoFundMe appeal was organised by Linda Barr who said that, with the consent of Martin's family, she would be raising some money to help his mother, Yvonne, pay funeral expenses.

The appeal was launched yesterday (Monday) evening, and since then donations have been coming in at a rapid rate.

At the time of writing, more than €3,700 had been raised from 165 individual contributions.

Donations can be made on the GoFundMe page here.

The 15-year-old boy's death in Lough Ree, near Portlick in Glasson, on Saturday evening shocked and deeply saddened Athlone and the wider Midlands region.

The funeral Mass of the Athlone Community College student will take place in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, in Coosan, on Thursday.