‘Generous’ teen dies suddenly on gap year

A teenager who has tragically died while on a gap year in the UK has been remembered as a “generous and lovely young man”, as a campaign is launched to bring him home.

Jack Ryan had been working at a school in Kent, southeast England, when he collapsed in the bathroom of his on-site accommodation last week.

Father Peter Ryan broke the news of the 18-year-old’s sudden death on Sunday, describing his son as someone “loved by many” and who “packed a lot into your 18 years”.

“We would love to thank the many hundreds of messages of love and support that we have received from all of those who were a part of Jack’s life,” Mr Ryan wrote on Facebook.

“The theme has been the same throughout: Such a kind, generous, and lovely young man taken way too young. So we are finding some relief in those messages.

“Jacko, you were and always will be loved by so many. You packed a lot into your 18 years, and we are all better people for having you in our lives. We love you so much.”

The cause of death was not immediately known, with Mr Ryan stating the family did not “have all the answers yet” and that he was flying to England to bring their son home.

It comes as former schoolmates of Jack campaign to bring the accomplished cricket and rugby player, who they say was “loved by all”, back to Australia and to help his family.

The GoFundMe campaign, titled “Bring Jack Ryan Home”, has already drawn more than $40,000 as of Monday afternoon, with single donations reaching as high as $5000.

In a statement, The King’s School said they had received news of the alumni’s “tragic passing”, going on to describe Jack as a “friendly and caring young man”.

“He was a much loved and respected member of Macarthur Waddy, a Kingsman who enjoyed cricket and playing in the 1st XI, and spending time with his mates,” it said.

“It is always a tragedy to lose a young life so full of promise, and we continue to keep Jack’s parents, Kate and Peter, brother Tommy and family and friends in our prayers.”

A community gathering during the House Chapel Service will be held on Monday evening at the Memorial Chapel, with the school encouraging the community to attend.

News of the teen’s death triggered outpouring of grief within the community of Macarthur Waddy in North Parramatta, as well as many more who knew Jack.

Messages left on a site memorialising the teen describe him as having “innate decency”, including a former principle who said Mr Ryan held a “special place” in her heart.

“I had the honour and privilege to cross paths with the infants/primary aged Jack while at Bolwarra as Principal,” Suze Swetnam wrote on the website Forever Missed.

“Your gentle nature, your keen intellect, your humour, your sense of right and wrong and your loyalty as a friend stood out even from Kindergarten.”

Jack’s “Grand Dad”, James Ryan, said he was fortunate to watch the teen grow from a “gifted student to gappy” and park rugby and cricket player to representative.

“In wonder, I watched as he blossomed into the lofty, self assured, honest, confident, loving, kind, loyal, caring man whom so many fortunate individuals came to call a mate.”

Mr Ryan senior described his grandson as talented and with a “gregarious nature and spontaneity” who labelled his battle with Type 1 Diabetes as a “walk in the park”.

Others who knew Mr Ryan through his sporting endeavours described him as a “fierce and fair opponent” as well as “an amazing, smart, genuine human being”.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.