A Guinness World Record attempt has been abandoned in Craigyhill after the builders of the bonfire opted to use the funds to help a sick local girl, rather than build the world’s largest bonfire.
Following a committee meeting on Friday, a decision was made to cancel the attempt after the builders heard about Pia Grace, a young girl from Larne who is going through difficult cancer treatment.
Rather than use the money to fund adjudication for Guinness World Records, they felt it would be a better use of fundraising efforts to support Pia and her family in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: Tributes paid to bonfire builder killed in fall in Northern Ireland
David, from the Craigyhill Bonfire committee, told Belfast Live: "On Friday we heard about the heartbroken story of Pia Grace and the struggles that she has been going through with cancer treatment and it had a big impact on us.
"One of our builders recently lost a young family member to cancer and we know just how tough it will be for them.
“So we decided that instead of raising money to have a world record confirmed by Guinness we would be better doing something to support Pia Grace and her family at this difficult time.
"It is more important that we are able to help someone from our local community.
"Over the next few weeks, we will be wearing t-shirts featuring the link to the Justgiving page that we have set up for the family and will also be creating a banner that will be put up around the bonfire site that will tell people how they can donate and show their support.
"We are very thankful to everyone who supported the previous GoFundMe, but it has been shut down and the money will be refunded to everyone who donated.
"We would also like to thank everyone who supports our new fundraising drive and hope that we can make life a bit easier for Pia Grace and her family."
If you would like to donate to the Craigyhill fundraiser, please click here.
READ NEXT:
- Dramatic sea rescue as young man saves teens from drowning off Waterford coast
- Garda viciously attacked by man in drunken rage feared he and two kids caught up in break-in would die
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
