A Darwen woman has spoken of her heartbreak after the death of her father overseas.
Kyla Walsh, 36, is raising funds to cover funeral costs after her dad, Stephen Walsh, died suddenly at his home in Spain last month.
Stephen, 57, originally from Bolton, collapsed and later died. The cause of his death is currently unknown.
A GoFundMe page set up by Kyla has raised more than £1,000 so far to help cover funeral expenses abroad and bring his ashes home.
Kyla said: "My dad moved to Spain around 18 years ago to live, as he loved the weather over there.
"My dad suddenly passed away on the morning of April 18.
"He said he felt funny and just collapsed at home and died there.
"He had no underlying conditions, as far as we are aware, and are currently awaiting autopsy results."
The costs of a basic funeral in Spain have been estimated at €2,300. Kyla is also hoping to raise enough money to travel to Spain, collect his ashes and bring him home to rest with her grandfather.
The estimated cost for her flight and transport is around £300.
She said: "We have to do it over there [in Spain] as the funds to bring him back would be far beyond our means.
"However, I can bring his ashes back on the plane with his death certificate."
Ms Walsh said her father did not have insurance, savings, or a will.
She said: "Dad clearly didn’t think he was going to pass suddenly and had nothing saved, no insurance, no will and no next of kin.
"Spanish law means that it falls on his children to sort this out."
With no financial support available in Spain, Kyla decided to set up a fundraiser.
She said: "We tried to get help from Spain, however, they said [they weren't] entitled to help for funeral costs.
"We tried every avenue and were getting told there was absolutely nothing we could do.
"This is when I set up the GoFundMe."
She said the support she has received from the public so far has been a comfort in a difficult time.
Kyla said: "The people who have supported me in donations, shares and their kind words have meant the world.
"I will be forever grateful for their help.
"I had to push pride aside to create the GoFundMe, I’m a qualified nurse working in the NHS and I have never had to ask for help before.
"All of the family is heartbroken, we love him dearly and will miss him always."
Kyla described her dad as a "happy-go-lucky" man who "winged life and made the most of the opportunities he had."
She said: "He was a wind-up merchant.
"I think about the memories we had and hold them dear to my heart.
"Although I can’t see him in person now, I feel him with me every day."
At the time of writing more than £1,000 has been donated to the fundraiser. To donate visit www.gofundme.com and search 'Help two sisters lay their dad to rest'.
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