A DOWNPATRICK family, touched by tragedy when a loved one died of a brain haemorrhage in Australia last year, has raised £5,000 for a specialist charity.
Patsy and Gerald O’Neill’s daughter Geraldine Tucker passed away at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne in February last year having recently given birth to her first child Charlotte Ellen Rose.
Geraldine’s untimely death stunned the O’Neill family who organised a number of fundraising events, including a coffee morning and family day at the town’s Ballymote Centre in May.
It was designed to raise funds for the Headway brain injury charity based in Newry and last week the money was officially handed over to its representatives Sheila and Kevin Quinn.
O’Neill family members say they are grateful to everyone who supported the events they organised and made donations towards a charity set up in 2008 to support people with brain injuries and their families and carers.
Each year, 2,000 people in Northern Ireland sustain a brain injury, with many more individuals and their families living with the long term effects.
The O’Neill family flew to Australia in February last year when they learnt of Geraldine’s illness and as they struggled to come to terms with her subsequent death they decided they wanted to organise a fundraising event in her memory.
In August last year, they chose the Headway organisation as the main benefactor of their fundraising activities.
Patsy and Gerald’s son, Paul, said in the wake of Geraldine’s death they wanted to help other people who suffer the trauma of a brain haemorrhage or any type of severe head injury.
He added: “We are delighted to have been able to raise so much for Headway Newry which does great work, helping and supporting families.
“As a result of many people’s efforts, help and generosity, we were able to raise such a magnificent sum. We have no doubt the money will be put to very good use helping other families.”
Carole Murphy, vice-chairwoman of the Headway charity, said it is very grateful to the O’Neill family and their friends for their “phenomenal fundraising endeavours.”