Greg Monks appeal raises more than £25,000 to bring Scot home after body found in Portugal
£25,400 as been raised via GoFundMe by Greg's family and will now go towards bringing him home.
More than £25,000 has been raised to bring home the body of Greg Monks after his tragic death in Portugal was confirmed yesterday (June 4)
The 38-year-old from Cambuslang, near Glasgow, vanished just hours after landing in Albufeira on Tuesday, May 27, to celebrate a stag party with his friends.
A frantic week-long search involving loved ones and volunteers was launched and Greg's body was found at the bottom of a ravine miles from his accommodation in Albufeira.
His desperate loved ones flew from Glasgow to Portugal to help with the search, including his mum, dad and girlfriend Nicole. The sad news was confirmed by Portuguese media on Wednesday morning, June 4.
A GoFundMe was launched last week to support Greg's family during the search has now been updated to help bring Greg home. So far, over £25,400 has been raised.
Organiser Gillian McCallum wrote: "After the devastating news today that Greg's body has been found his family have asked to update the GoFundMe now to help bring Greg home".
Tributes have been paid to Greg who has been remembered as a "true gentleman". His sister Jillian Monks, 36, who carried out a mass social media campaign to find Greg told of her families devastation, as she paid tribute to her "amazing" brother.
She said: "We are truly heartbroken. Everyone who knows Greg knows how much he will be missed and what an amazing guy he was."
Later posting online, Jillian wrote: "Didn't think it would end like this...we are absolutely devastated.
" Greg was an amazing boy who everyone thought so highly of. He was friends with everyone and always made us laugh. We will miss him everyday."
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Following the news, friend Natalie Baird said: "You were a true gentleman and an amazing friend. We had so many good times and memories I will cherish forever and ever."
Agnes Neil-Neeson said: "I have no words. He was a lovely boy."
Close friend John Baird posted a picture of him and Greg as youngsters with the caption: "Proud to call you my mate".
Greg, who was set to be a groomsman for his friend's wedding, left Scotland on Tuesday, May 27 to head for the Algarve with a group of friends celebrating on a five-day stag holiday. The group partied on Albufeira's famous strip before he became separated from the rest of the group.
He was spotted in a quieter residential area of Cerro de Aguia roughly four miles away from the main party strip and Novochoro Apartments - where he was staying with friends.
Jillian admitted the family had "never known pain like this" as they took on the task to try and search for Greg. Posters were made in English and Portuguese with contact details and information on his last known whereabouts. A number of extensive private searches were underway, including drone searches involving volunteers.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing in Portugal and are in contact with the local authorities".
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