The late Sharon Alexander.
AN appeal in Friday’s Donegal News to help a young Castlefinn family left orphaned, separated and without their own home following the death of their 34-year-old mother has been met with a huge response.
Sharon Alexander passed away in the Donegal Hospice in early November, just two years after her former partner, and the childrens’ father, died tragically.
She left behind three daughters – Shannon (15), Amy (14) and Kayleigh (12). Following the death of their mother, the girls were forced to give up their council house in Castlefinn.
As Amy has Down Syndrome, and is currently on a waiting list for heart surgery, she is being cared for by her aunt and uncle at their home in Killygordon.
Meanwhile, Shannon and Kayleigh have been taken in by another aunt and uncle in Drumkeen. To compound matters, the Drumkeen bungalow is too small and the girls have to, literally, live out of their suitcases. The Killygordon house has no downstairs bedroom, which Amy requires due to her special needs.
Family and friends set up the charity ‘Sharon’s Girls’ to raise enough funds to extend the Drumkeen house and to build a downstairs bedroom for Amy in Killygordon.
Well-known business woman, Ms Deirdre Grant, is a friend of the family. She said that, since the article appeared in today’s (Friday) Donegal News, and on our online edition, they have been inundated with offers from all around the world.
“The phone calls started to come in as soon as the paper came out. We are overwhelmed,” Ms Grant said.
“I heard from an architect who was due to meet the family today, Crawford Tiles and Flooring have offer to supply and fit whatever is needed, Brian McDaid plasterer as offered as services and Kedoc Plant Ltd promised blocks and concrete and The Tanning Boutique, Raphoe, offered a hamper each for the three girls. I’ve also received at least 40 offers of donations from as far away as New Zealand and America.”
If anyone wants to make a donation to Sharon’s Girls fund you can now do so in three different ways: through Ulster Bank Ballybofey – Sharon’s Girls Account number 10696752 and sort code 98-52-52; Gofundme page or via the Kinship Care Charity website.
Deirdre can be contacted on 087 6893519.
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