The family of a British man who died while travelling in the Philippines has been issued a £20,000 bill to repatriate his body. Stephen Harper, 35, from Bellshill, Scotland, died in Manila on 19 June 2026. His loved ones are now facing a race against time to bring him home for a proper funeral.
Fundraising Appeal Launched
Lifelong friend Charles Brown launched a GoFundMe appeal to cover the costs. In the post, he wrote: 'On the 19th June 2026 we received the devastating news that whilst travelling in the Philippines, my life long friend Stephen sadly lost his life. I am looking to raise some money on behalf of Stephen’s family to help bring his body back to the UK so that he can have the send off he deserves.' He added: 'The estimated costs for this can be anywhere up to £20,000 so any donations, big or small, will help towards this and will be greatly appreciated by all.'
Tributes from Family and Friends
Stephen’s mother, Tracy Harper, shared a heartbreaking tribute: 'With broken hearts, we share the sad news that our much-loved son Stephen passed away while travelling in Philippines/Manila. We are devastated by his loss and will cherish our memories of him forever.' Charles described Stephen as having 'a truly kind heart' and noted his passion for Celtic F.C., saying he 'rarely missed a match, following the team home and away.'
Celtic Community Rallies
Tributes also poured in from fellow Celtic supporters. A post by Celtic YNWA described Stephen as 'a 35-year-old Celtic fan from Bellshill' whose death was 'absolutely heartbreaking.' It added: 'From what’s been shared by those who knew him, Stephen wasn’t just someone who liked Celtic…he lived it. Home and away following the Hoops, making memories with his pals and being part of the massive Celtic family we all talk about so often.'
Fundraising Success
Charles plans to cycle from Bellshill to Perth in Stephen’s memory, recreating a ride they completed together five years ago. At the time of writing, the GoFundMe appeal has raised more than £20,000, exceeding its target. Stephen had been travelling for several months before his sudden death.
