Big-hearted Sophie’s donations after arson attack

Big-hearted Sophie’s donations after arson attack

22 August 2018

A NUMBER of organisations have benefited from the fund-raising efforts of a big-hearted Downpatrick girl following an arson attack on an elderly neighbour’s house earlier this year.

Thirteen year-old Sophie McCarthy was so outraged by the attack on Mr John Brown’s Ballymote Walk home in May that she decided to launch a fund-raising appeal.

Mr Brown, who was not in his house at the time and was a resident at Wood Lodge care home in Castlewellan, unfortunately died the following month.

Undaunted, Sophie continued with her fundraising efforts and managed to raise £650 through collection boxes which were distributed in a number of local businesses.

Last week, Sophie presented cheques for £290 each to the Northern Ireland Fire Service and the NI Hospice.

The remainder of the money went towards a bench in memory of Mr Brown which she presented to the staff at Wood Lodge along with Mr Brown’s granddaughters, Tasha and Kyla Downey.

Sophie’s dad, Peter, said Sophie was overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who contributed to her appeal.

“She would like to thank everyone who donated and all the businesses who agreed to take the fund-raising boxes,” he said.

The blaze which engulfed Mr Brown’s small bungalow began when a fire was deliberately started at a nearby fence.

Many of Mr Brown’s possessions, including his motobility scooter, which was in a shed, were destroyed.

The attack was widely condemned and within days Sophie, a student at Assumption Grammar School, had launched her appeal.

At the time she said she wanted to help her neighbour and send out a message that not all young people in the Model Farm and Flying Horse areas were up to no good.

Her family has been contacted by a number of other people who want to help, including a painter offering to redecorate the pensioner’s home.

“No one wants to see elderly people being targeted and left feeling frightened,” Sophie remarked.

“This is not very nice and these people should be left alone in peace. Their homes should not be targeted by anyone.

“Some elderly residents are living in fear of their homes being targeted and this is very sad. Some are even afraid to go outside and this is not how it should be.

“I hope my appeal demonstrates that not all young people in this part of Downpatrick are unruly and do not care about their neighbours. It is unfair to tar us all with the same brush.”