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Niall Deeney

Co Derry: Dad who lost son, 20, to cancer praises 'great support' for charity foundation

A Co Derry dad who lost his son to cancer in 2017 has spoken of his thanks for those who supported a charity in his memory.

Eoin Henry, who grew up in Kilrea and lived in Aghadowey in Co Derry, was just weeks away from his 21st birthday when he passed away in May 2017 with neuroendocrine cancer.

A charity foundation set up in his honour has now raised over a third-of-a-million to support other families and young people dealing with cancer.

Read more: Limavady: Charity money, staff tips and cash stolen from till in cafe break-in

His father Steve spoke to Belfast Live ahead of a "glitzy" charity ball featuring supercars worth millions at Titanic Belfast on April 15 in memory of his "car mad" son.

He described his son's bravery in his fight with cancer and praised the "great support" the family has received since establishing the charitable Eoin Henry Foundation.

"He was just a normal lad who loved life and embraced it every day," Steve said.

"He would've done anything for myself and his mother. He was a lovely person to be around and when he was old enough he started working alongside me."

He added: "He was very brave and strong when it came to fighting the disease. he would just stay very positive about the whole thing and kept going. It just got to the stage where he had no more fight left and that's when he passed away."

Eoin Henry (handout)

Since setting up the Eoin Henry Foundation in the weeks after his tragic death, family and friends have raised a total of "about 340 thousand".

The money is used to support a number of other charities - including Angel Wings and Young Lives Vs Cancer.

The grieving father explained: "What we do is support two or three other charities. One of them is young lives versus cancer. We started up an education fund with them last June and we've put out, from June to now, about 40 grants for young people coming out the other side of cancer. It's about trying to get them back to being able to lead a normal life."

He continued: "We also support Angel Wishes which is another great charity. We give them money and do things for them. They recently bought a house in Ballintoy for respite so we put in TVs for them, CCTV, flooring and things for them.

"It's generally about supporting cancer patients, families, and those dealing with a cancer diagnosis. We do as much as we can."

Asked how much has been raised to date, he said: "We're sitting at the minute at about £340 thousand. We're hoping this year to reach the 400 thousand mark. It's a good legacy for Eoin. It's grown into something that I never thought it would be, but we've had great support. Without support you have nothing."

Eoin Henry with his mother Veronica (Handout)

Later this month, an annual charity ball will take place at Titanic Belfast in aid of the foundation with supercars including Ferraris, Lamborghinis and more.

Steve explained: "We're a lot bigger this year than we were last year. We have 20 supercars on the slipways - probably about £6million worth of cars. We have Lamborghinis, Porches, Bentleys, all the big names.

"Eoin was car mad and it brings a wee bit of pizazz to the whole thing. It's not very often you would see that sort of calibre of car sitting around the Titanic.

"We've upped our game this year compared to last year. We have Adrian Logan doing the compere, we have a live auction that goes live the week before and will be screened on the night, we have entertainment - it's a glitzy, glamorous thing."

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