Hi my name is Dagmar and Marek was my brother. Marek and I shared the same birthday just a year apart, we were very close.

My brother passed away very unexpectedly while on a short break in Portugal. After a couple of days we lost contact with him and because this is very out of character for him, we assumed something serious happed to him. We notified the local authorities. Marek was found 8 days later in the apartment he hired, but unfortunately too late. Although the post mortem has been carried out, we still non the wiser of the cause of death. He was cremated in Porto and his ashes repatriated to Germany, where he resided and where his funeral will take place. Marek was of Slovak descent, he became a German national where he moved for work as a Doctor.

Marek and I grew up together, played together, laughed and cried together, learnt and fought together and even danced rock & roll together through many competitions. As a child he was very studious and because of his high IQ, he was picked out for a special school for young diplomats. He loved his books and spent his first pocket money on the purchase of a book. He was very smart and talented, he was multi-lingual, he spoke about 9 language, able to play different musical instruments.

He was kind, quiet, sensitive, insightful, friendly, funny with his own dry sense of humour and described by fiends and family as a "ray of sunshine" and his unique character is going to be missed not just by me, but I am sure, by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Marek was a great fruit lover, enjoyed outdoor sports, had a passion for and was widely travelled.

In the next 2-3 months I will have to make three or possibly more journeys.

My first trip is to Portugal to collect Marek's personal belongings as the Portuguese authority have refused to send them to me, so I may need to hire a layer to help me to retrieve them. I would also require funding to help me with the costs of flights and accommodation and there is a possibility that I may not be successful on this trip getting his belongings back and I may need to return. I am also travelling to Porto to pay my respects where Marek passed and to get some closure.

My second trip would be to Germany, where Marek's funeral is being held, so as with Portugal, I need funding for the costs of flights and accommodation.

My third trip is to Slovakia where Marek and I grew up for family and friend's memorial.

I am a self employed fitness professional and only get paid when I work. While I am away and not working and earning, my bills will still be waiting for me on my return, so I would also appreciate a little bit more help in covering these costs.

Anything you can help with I would be grateful for and I thank you so much in advance.

Kindest regards

Dagmar