By Andrew Jarret.

THE COMMUNITY of Angus has once again demonstrated its caring heart by rallying round to help the devastated family of Czech worker Petr Adamik, who was tragically killed in a caravan fire at Birkhill Farm, near Arbroath.

Mr Adamik’s family do not have the resources to pay for repatriation of their son’s body to the Czech Republic, and are also unable to meet the costs of a funeral here.

But in a similar scenario to when fellow Czech Marek Smrz was brutally murdered in Arbroath in 2005, locals have been quick to lend their help.

Lindsay Martin, of Selwood Funeral Directors in Carnoustie, said he had been touched by the level of support and co-operation from all quarters.

“Obviously this has been a very difficult time for the family of this lad, compounded by the cost of repatriation or a funeral over here,” he said.

“We offered to repatriate the body at very little cost and gave the family another option of having Petr cremated here and his remains taken back.

“We have put up some money. Angus Council has contributed some. So did the Marek Fund and Parkgrove Crematorium have also helped financially.

“Thanks to everyone who helped we are going to have a proper dignified funeral for this lad with Father Kevin Golden carrying out the service.

“Local councillor David Selfridge was also very good in providing help from the council and I understand that Sue Smith, who organises the Marek Fund, has offered to travel with Petr’s remains and take them back to his family.”

Mr Martin said he is sure the local Czech population and the wider migrant worker community will ensure many people will be at Friockheim Crematorium to pay their respects.

“The Czech Consul in Edinburgh, Dr Paul Millar, has been communicating with Petr’s family throughout this time and they are quite happy for their son’s service to take place here,” added Mr Martin.

“They’ve given authority to the Consul, who in turn has given us the go-ahead.

“It’s situations like this which really shows the caring side of folk and it’s something which is nice to see.”

Angus’s generosity in helping take care of Mr Adamik, and the other workers displaced by the fire, has reached the national Czech press.

Reporter Llenka Hlouskova, from the Daily Pravo, has covered developments for her newspaper which in turn has made arrangements for Mrs Smith for when she arrives with Mr Adamik’s remains.

“They have organised everything for me for when I go to the Czech Republic to meet up with Petr’s family so that has been a great weight off my mind,” she said.

“The only thing now is that the money we have given for Petr’s funeral, and to help the 12 other victims of this fire, has completely exhausted the Marek Fund.

“We are therefore still asking anyone who wants to help to send what they can to the Marek Fund at PO Box 15, Arbroath, DD11 1AA.”

The fund will benefit from a football match in Petr’s memory, organised by Carnoustie Panmure FC.

Spokesman Bill Braithewaite said, “We are having a Carnoustie Panmure versus an Eastern European select at Laing Park on Wednesday, April 18, with a 7pm kick-off.

“We have been in touch with various farms and workplaces and it appears that there are some very decent young players to be found.”

Admission will probably be £1 or £2 for the match, and there will also be a raffle.

Mr Adamik’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at 12.30pm.