THE brother and cousin of a Prestonpans man who lost his life in a 2019 boating accident have organised a memorial charity day this Sunday.

Kieran Cowan was just 23 and due to become a father when the boat he was in with two friends capsized on Loch Awe, in Argyll and Bute, on August 17 three years ago.

The other two men in the boat, aged 23 and 27, swam to an island and raised the alarm but, by the time rescuers arrived, they were unable to save Kieran.

The multi-agency rescue attempt included officers from Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Now Jordan Cowan, Kieran’s brother, and cousin Patrick

Maclaren are preparing to host a day of football and entertainment to celebrate Kieran’s life while raising money for a worthy cause.

'A memorial of his life'

Jordan said: “We took inspiration from another memorial day for one of my friends who died in a car crash and thought: ‘Why don’t we do that for Kieran as well?’

“We decided to raise money for the rescue services who retrieved his body.

“We wanted a memorial of his life, doing things that he liked doing.

“The football is free for spectators to attend and there will be collection buckets for people to donate.”

Jordan added his thanks to Preston Athletic, who have offered their pitch free of charge for the event.

Funds raised from the day will be donated to a rescue services charity in Oban.

The day’s activities kick off with a charity football match in Kieran’s honour at the Pennypit in Prestonpans from 2.30pm.

The match will see a selection of Kieran’s friends and family take to the field in celebration of his life.

Entry for the match is free but donations are welcomed and the bar will be open for people to enjoy refreshments.

After the football, the memorial day will move to Prestonpans Labour Club, where Stuart Wilson will provide the entertainment from 7pm and a charity raffle will take place.

A variety of prizes up for grabs in the raffle, including a four-ball at Archerfield.

Tickets for this event are already sold out.

Kieran’s father has also donated his prized Henrik Larsson-signed Celtic shirt for an additional lottery-style bonus ball fundraiser. People can enter as many times as they want; numbers cost £20.

Go to Jordan’s Facebook page at bit.ly/3UJxRhq to enter.