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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Cormac O'Shea & Marita Moloney

Four Irish kids who lost parents within months get some good news as they bid to buy house

Four siblings who lost their parents in the space of just months have had over a quarter of a million raised for them in little over a week - which will help them "secure their future".

The Irish community of Milltown in Co Kerry were left devastated after a well-known couple, Padraig and Elaine Clifford, passed away within months of each other.

Padraig, 46, died in January after battling cancer.

READ MORE: Irish family hit by double tragedy as parents-of-four both die from cancer within months of each other

His death came just five months after his wife Elaine tragically died from the same illness just one day before her 41st birthday.

The pair left behind four sons: Patrick, 21, Jack, 14, Andrew, eight and Conor, five.

The boys, with the help of the public, are now hoping to purchase their rented family home in Milltown in order to "secure their future".

And now, after support from people across the globe, their target of €250,000 and a small bit more has been raised for the boys with renewed hope they will get their wish.

Padraig and Elaine Clifford. (Facebook)

Just €36,000 was raised two days ago but with the help of the media, people from far and wide, 9,000 in total, have pledged their earnings to help the grieving kids.

Messages have been flooding in to support the boys as people all over the world learned of their heartbreaking story.

Joseph Clifford said: "God bless you from an American cousin. May you be sustained by the love of so many reaching out to support. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of making a way forward for you all."

Emer Leonard added: "Wishing you all strength at this difficult time. Hope you buy your house and it once again becomes a place of good times and memories together."

The organisers of the fundraiser wrote last week: "Patrick 21, Jack 14, Andrew 8 and Conor 5 lost both their parents to cancer in the space of five months.

"This heartbreaking story has touched many people near and far, it has left the community of Milltown in disbelief that this could happen to one family in such a short space of time.

"In May 2021 the boys' mom, Elaine, was diagnosed with stage four cancer, after a short time and a big fight, she lost her battle to cancer on August 28th 2021, leaving behind her heartbroken husband Padraig and her beloved boys.

"Padraig found it very difficult to come to terms with the loss of his soulmate, his amazing wife and mother to their four beautiful boys.

"Padraig tried to get on with life as best he could with the great help of family and friends who rallied around him.

"Little did Padraig know when he felt unwell in December 2021 that he too had cancer. He was admitted to Unversity Hospital Kerry on January 17th 2022 and following tests he was diganosed with aggressive cancer.

"Padraig fought hard to keep his promise to beautiful wife Elaine to look after their boys but unfortunately lost his battle to cancer eight days later on Tuesday the 25th of January 2022 surrounded by his loving family and friends."

They add: "The boys now reside in the rented family home in Milltown; this fundraiser is being set up to raise enough money to allow the Clifford boys to purchase their family home and secure their future.

"Any donations to help the Clifford boys reach their goal of owning their own home would be very much appreciated.

"The Clifford family are extremely grateful for the kindness and generosity they have received during this very difficult time."

Anyone wishing to donate to the GoFundMe campaign can do so here.

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