Thousands of pounds has been raised by a farming family in Co Tyrone after they sold a heifer in memory of a well-known local farmer.
John McConnell from Plumbridge sadly passed away in 2019 aged 71 after a battle with cancer.
John’s son Andrew and the rest of the family decided to sell the heifer to raise funds for the Sperrin Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry which cared for John.
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More than £4,200 was raised by John's family, and son Andrew described his father as a 'complete gentleman'.
“Dad was a farmer all his life, he was diagnosed in 2018 and had treatment and passed away in 2019,” Andrew said.
“He was a complete gentleman, nobody had a wrong word to say about him.
“If he could have helped somebody in this way that’s what he would have done as well.
“He’s a big, big loss and was very good to every one of us in the family.
“All the farmers donated into it at the Plumbridge Livestock Sales, as well as family members and friends.
“The staff in the Sperrin Unit did everything they could for him so we just wanted to donate this to say thanks for that.”
The Western Trust acknowledged the donation from the McConnell family: “Staff in the Sperrin Unit wish to express their huge gratitude to the McConnell family in memory of Andrew's father, John McConnell who sadly passed away four years ago.
“John received treatment in the Sperrin Unit and in appreciation of the care he received, Andrew decided to raise funds for the Unit through the sale of a heifer and donations from family and friends.
“Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. This money will go towards patients comforts in the Unit.”
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