Irish retail company Applegreen has donated an initial €50,000 to help those who have been affected by the tragedy that unfolded in the Creeslough village last week.
The fund, which opened on October 10, has been established by the Irish Red Cross in collaboration with An Post and Applegreen to provide "rapid and long-term assistance to the Creeslough community".
All donations to the fund will be dedicated to the support of those who have been bereaved, injured, made homeless, or left without an income as a result of the tragedy.
Read more: Vigils held for victims of Applegreen explosion
Irish Red Cross said that it would work with the Co Donegal villages' community in the coming weeks to ensure that all contributions will be used effectively and as needed to assist those affected.
Speaking on the tragedy in Creeslough, where ten people lost their lives after an explosion, Applegreen Founder and Chief Executive Joe Barrett said it was a “very dark day".
Mr Barrett said: “This is a hugely tragic event, and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and to the entire community in Creeslough.
"We are utterly shocked and saddened at what happened. I would also like to offer our thanks to the emergency services, and first responders, who are dealing with the incident.
“We have been working with our local partners in Creeslough since 2014. We are providing them with assistance and support locally at this very difficult time. The Applegreen in Creeslough is at the very heart of the village and contains the local post office and supermarket.
“Our thoughts and our prayers are with the people of Creeslough. Today we mourn those who have lost their lives alongside the entire country. We will continue to assist and support our partners, and the wider Creeslough community, in the days and weeks ahead.”
If you would like to donate to the fund, you can do so HERE.
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