A massive fundraising drive for a young Motor Neurone sufferer has raised more than €20,000.
Jer Spillane (38) a father of two, originally from Kildorrery, was recently diagnosed with the debilitating disease.
A gofundme page was set up and in just two days it had reached the giant figure, showing that more than €20k was donated. Jer was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease last November.
The news of his illness has devastated the young man and his wife Jackie and their two small children Noah (7) and Faye (4). From diagnosis, Jer has not been able to return to work.
Knowing the complications Motor Neuron disease brings, it is inevitable that Jackie will in time have to become Jer’s career and leave her own job too. This will leave the family on an extremely low income.
Darragh Collins, who contacted The Avondhu to raise awareness of Jer’s plight, said another financial worry awaits this family as they are presently in a rented semi-detached house in Mitchelstown which will not be suitable for Jer’s needs.
“They are now renovating an old farmhouse in Kilbehenny which is over 300 years old and hasn’t been lived in for quite some time. They need a significant amount of money to make it liveable and suitable for Jer’s needs but unfortunately, they cannot qualify for a mortgage or any big loan, resulting in a huge shortfall for their project.”
The gofundme page was set up by their friends Jennifer and Adrienne who said that they are looking for funds to help Jer and his family as they battle the disease.
The page can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jer-spillane-fund, where donations can be made.
‘Heartbreaking’
“As close friends of Jackie and Jer, we are appealing to people to please help this family in any way that you can to enable them to have a home as soon as possible where Jer can make the best of the rest of his life with his family and that all his needs will be catered for.
“They are two beautiful people who have already had to endure illnesses and tragedies within their own families, so for this illness to be placed upon them, is just heartbreaking.”
Now, to add to the fundraising drive, the people of Kildorrery and the local GAA club are set to hold a fundraising day for Jer on February 29.
The day begins at 10am with a coffee morning in Kildorrery Hall and at 7pm, there will be a GAA football challenge between a local side and Mitchelstown in the town’s pitch.
At 8pm there is music and dance in Sheahan’s Bar, a trad session and barbecue at Walsh’s Bar at 9.30pm and a Karaoke with Podge and Rodge in Ollie’s Bar.
All funds on the day will go to Jer and his family.
Organiser Eamon McCarthy, said that it is ‘the duty’ of locals to help Jer out and he hoped that everyone would join in.
At the time of going to press, the figure stood at over €22,000. All donations welcome.
