THE family of a man who was killed in a tragic cycling accident travelled to Fiji to see a building in memory of their son officially opened this week.

John and Tina Berry were at the official state unveiling by the Prime Minister of Fiji of the Jack Berry Memorial Kindergarten in Naqia on Wednesday (15th August).

Last October, Jack Berry was killed on his bicycle aged 26 while training for a triathlon. His father John Berry, who grew up in Overmonnow and went to Monmouth School, decided that the money he was saving to help his son buy a restaurant should help create a lasting legacy and bring something positive out of Jack’s death.

Jack had married Louisa, who was half Fijiian and had fallen in love with the South Pacific island Naqia and adored the unique pace of island life .

He was a trainee chef at the Bush Inn in St Hilary, Cowbridge and in 2017 had become head chef, living in Cardiff with his wife.

Keen to take part in the Ironman in Tenby, Jack was training with friends in Cardiff when he was involved in a collision with a taxi.

His parents created the Jack Berry Fijiian Foundation and used the money to fund a school in Naqia.

Building of the Jack Berry Memorial Kindergarten commenced at the beginning of February and was completed fully by hand. The foundations of the building were officially laid by the elders of the village, and now the Prime Minister himself is officially declaring the building open.

John and Tina travelled up to the village of Naqia to see the school officially opened by the Fijian Prime Minister Bainimarama.

“When he leaves we are then moving to the hall at Naqia when we are being given a full traditional ceremony by all the villages in the district (12 villages and hundreds in attendance) so they can show their appreciation,” said John.

“It will be an incredibly proud moment for us and testament to all the hard of so many people both in Fiji and back home and a wonderful legacy,” he added.

“It will be incredibly emotional but also leave us feeling very proud of everything that has been done both at home and over here.”

If you wish, you can donate at https://www.jackberryfijianfoundation.com/