Polish community rallies to support family who lost son

The Polish community in Cork has rallied to help cover funeral expenses for a family who lost their teenage son in a motorbike accident.

They have organised a five-a-side inter-country soccer tournament in the city on Sunday and appealed last night for people to get involved.

Maciek Mordal, 18, who was due to collect his Leaving Cert results next week, was killed in a motorbike accident in his native Poland just over a week ago.

Mordal, who sat his Leaving Cert in Deerpark CBS in June, died when the motorbike on which he was a passenger crashed in Lubin, near Wroclaw. He had been visiting extended family in Poland at the time.

His parents, Rafal and Wioletta, and his young brother, who live in Cork City, had the heartbreaking task of buying a suit here in which to bury him, before flying back to Poland for the funeral late last week.

Family friend, Matt Mis said efforts are now under way to help the family cover the funeral expenses. He has helped organise a five-a-side soccer tournament at the Glen Sports and Resource Centre on the northside of the city from noon on Sunday.

A squad of up to eight players is allowed and it will cost €80 per team to take part. All the money raised on the day will be donated to Maciek’s family. He asked people who would like to take part to register by emailing [e-mail] or contacting Tomas on 083-0081130.

City councillor Mick Finn, a project worker on Deerpark’s school completion programme, said the tragedy has rocked the entire school community. He described Maciek as a very popular, mannerly and outgoing student who loved sport, and soccer in particular.

The school hopes to invite Maciek’s family, his former classmates, and other senior students to attend a special prayer service in his memory next month.

Donations can also be made through a donation to Bank of Ireland, sort code: 90-27-68, account number 80115050.