The family of a Keighley woman who died suddenly while on holiday is setting up a charity in her name.

Rosie Tarpy, 22, died in her sleep on September 29 last year while in the Canary Islands.

Her death was caused by a blood clot on her lung.

Miss Tarpy was born in Keighley and had been a pupil at Holy Family Catholic School. She lived in Braithwaite Road and was an employee at a branch of Santander Bank, in Bradford.

Her family have now announced they are launching a charity called The Rosie Tarpy Trust to help relatives of people who die when they are abroad.

Miss Tarpy’s stepfather, Richard Porter, said: “Rosie died without insurance, but we were fortunate enough to have enough money to bring her back to England for her funeral.

“A lot of other people die abroad in similar circumstances without insurance, but their families do not have the finances that we had to be able to bring back the bodies of their loved ones.

“If you die abroad of natural causes, most insurance companies don’t cover that anyway. Or, for example, if you have an accident and there’s alcohol in your blood that’s seen as a contributory factor and insurance won’t cover the full costs, even if you were below the legal driving limit. These are the sorts of things you don’t hear about unless it’s happened to you or your immediate family.

“This charity will be to help the relatives of people who are in those types of situations. Even if we can help one other family that will be something.”

Mr Porter warned that the administration costs involved in repatriating someone who has died abroad can run into thousands of pounds, and can even put some people at risk of losing their home.

He said: “The charity is being set up by me, my wife [Miss Tarpy’s mother Maire Porter] and my sister-in-law and we’ve brought in a couple of other trustees too.

“My niece has just qualified as a lawyer, so will be giving us advice on trust status.

“One of Rosie’s friends works for a charity and she’s helping as well. We’ve applied for registered charity status.”

The new group is being officially launched at a tea party at Laycock Village Hall this Saturday, which will run from 2pm until 5pm. Tickets are available, priced £10, by calling (01535) 603352.

Mr Porter said he wanted to thank the village hall’s management committee for its support.

He said fundraising for the new charity would be an ongoing project and would include raffles and sponsored walks.