'He was my bairn' - Mam speaks of heartbreak as family of Ryan Collier prepare for funeral after tragic holiday death

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Ryan Collier died on Friday, October 23, after a fall from the balcony of the hotel where he was staying in Marmaris in Turkey with partner Donna Noble.

The 34-year-old, who worked as a takeaway driver and in security, had been on a life support machine and suffered a cardiac arrest following the incident, sparking an appeal to raise funds to transport him back to the UK.

His parents Brian and Elizabeth have now thanking all those who supported the GoFundMe appeal, which helped bring him home and raised £13,500.

Ryan Collier's funeral will be held in Sunderland after the 34-year-old died while on holiday in Turkey

A funeral service for Ryan will be held in the chapel at Sunderland Crematorium on Monday, November 23, at 1.30pm, followed by an interment at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery.

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Ahead of his funeral, Brian, 64, and Elizabeth, 62, from Pallion, have spoken of their loving son and how grateful they are to friends and family for their help as they come to terms with their loss.

Brian said: “Ryan was full of fun and we loved him to a tee.

A photo of Ryan Collier shared by his parents Brian and Elizabeth.

"He was a bit of a Jack The Lad and he loved kids and always loved having a bit of fun with them.”

Elizabeth added: “He was the most loving, sensitive, caring boy and he was my bairn.

"It’s thanks to people’s support we were able to bring him home.”

Ryan Collier from Sunderland is believed to have fallen from a balcony while on holiday in Turkey, his family say.

Ryan grew up around South Hylton and went to the village primary before going on to study at Pennywell School, with friends across Sunderland.

His parents say his schoolfriend Balal Iftikar has been a great support to them since Ryan’s fall and made arrangements for his friend to help translate for them as the family flew out to Turkey.

“We cannot thank people enough for what they have done to help us.”

Ryan also leaves brother Lewis, 27, and his two-year-old twins Olivia and Grace, brother Craig, 41, and his children Megan, 19, and Lucy, 15, and eldest brother Darren, 45.

Donna has two children, Adam, 19, and Kimberley, and Ryan helped care for Charley, 12, his former partner’s daughter

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