Friends, family, and loved ones are raising money to help bring Andrew Hoggart back home to the Cook Islands where the family can lay his body to rest.
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Mr Hoggart died during New Year's Eves celebrations after falling from a balcony in South Bank, Brisbane.
Family friend Taleah Neven started a GoFundMe page to support the family and help them travel to their hometown in Rarotonga.
"There's a lot of family members who are struggling to afford getting over to the Cook Islands to get him home," Ms Neven said.
"I wanted to help them any way I can."
Ms Neven said she especially wanted to support Esther Paeara, who is Ms Neven's best friend since high school and Mr Hoggart's older sister.
Ms Paeara said she remembers Andrew as a kind, caring man who always put others first.
"He was a gentle-hearted soul. I can't describe my brother any other way," Ms Paeara said.
"My brother was admired by many people and a very big part of our family."
Ms Paeara said Mr Hoggart had gone through a long battle with depression prior to his death in the new year.
"We knew our brother was depressed, but he was such a gentle heart that he never wanted to burden anyone with his problems," she said.
"He could be having a really down moment, but he would always tell us he was fine and everything was okay. He always put others before himself."
Ms Paeara said the family were struggling together with feelings of guilt and grief, but she said they at least had each other's backs.
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"Right now we've got each other to lean on," she said.
"We're trying to pull ourselves together as a family."
The family has also received a wellspring of support from friends such as Ms Neven as well as Mr Hoggart's fellow footballers who remember him as a stellar team player who always brought smiles and laughter into the club.
The family will be having a public funeral for him in Australia before flying to Rarotonga to perform a private funeral and lay Mr Hoggart's body to rest on family land.
Those wanting to donate to Mr Hoggart's family can head to the GoFundMe page.
If you, or anyone you know, is suffering from depression or anxiety you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
