Articles by Stanley Campbell

Health

Mid Ulster family thank everyone who supported them through "difficult situation"

Julie Cleary said her hushand, Conor, had to give up work some months ago when their premature baby boy, Cahir, became ill and was readmitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast. The couple, who have two other young children, aged 6 and 5, then found themselves in "a very difficult situation" trying to cope. "I had to get the bus to Belfast each day and Conor eventually decided to give his job up to help with the other children," said Julie. "He is the only earner in the household and it was definitely a setback for us as it became difficult to pay bills." A close friend, Mary McEldowney, set up a GoFundMe appeal to help the couple and it raised over £12,000 within a week. The fund has now closed. "We would like to thank everybody who contributed to the fund," Julie continued. "It is a safety blanket for us at this difficult time." The really good news is that 10-month old Cahir is now out of hospital and at home being looked after by his mum and receives regular check-ups. Little Cahir was 24 weeks premature with chronic lung disease, a hole in his heart and was tube fed. He spent 135 days in hospital before getting home, but then took a setback and had to be readmitted. As a result, his self employed father lost more than seven months wages when he took off work.