Fundraiser set up for Sheffield Hallam graduate who died on ‘dream’ Sri Lanka trip

A fundraiser has been set up by the family of a Sheffield Hallam graduate who has died whilst travelling in Sri Lanka.

Ebony McIntosh, 24, died in hospital on Saturday after being taken ill from the hostel she was staying at.

According to Sky News, Sri Lankan police are investigating a possible cause of poisoning by noxious pesticides, after a room had been fumigated for bed bugs.

The GoFundMe page has so far raised £47,000, which will go towards funeral costs and for the family to travel to Sri Lanka and “bring her home”.

In a statement, her family said they are “absolutely heartbroken” by her death: “Words cannot begin to express how broken we are, it’s been like a nightmare since we found out on Sunday morning, we have prayed and prayed that this can’t be true.

“We need to be with our beautiful Ebony as soon as possible – we hate the thought of her being alone in a foreign country. We want to be able to bring her back home safely to rest. We just need to look after our angel.”

They added that Ebony had only arrived in the country four days prior to her death, and had hoped to “follow her dreams of travelling all over South Asia”.

The former Sheffield Hallam University student, who was from Derby, graduated in 2021. She has been working as a digital marketing and social media manager after university.

In a further tribute on Instagram, Ebony’s sister India McIntosh said: “Thank you for being my older sister, one better than I could’ve ever asked for.

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“It feels like some nightmare I haven’t woke up from yet. We will get justice for you sis, you had so much life left to live. You were just four days into your months of travelling, so excited and happy to see the world.

“Let’s get you home Ebony. Mum has left your door open with your light on waiting for you and we’ll keep waiting, till we bring you home.”

If you wish to donate, you can do so via this link.

Featured image from Google / GoFundMe