A family of six have lost their home after a devastating fire broke out at their Wicklow residence.
Jacqueline Sherry returned home with her little girl on December 10 to find their Rathnew home had gone ablaze. The fire was sparked by the family's tumble dryer and has left Jacqueline and her husband Owen, alongside their four young children, at a total loss weeks before Christmas.
Determined to help, Jacqueline’s friend Glenda set up an online fundraiser for the couple, which has amassed over €25,000 to date. Local community groups have also stepped in to raise awareness of the family’s plight on Facebook.
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Glenda wrote on GoFundMe: “My heart was broken when I received a phone call from my dear friend Jacqueline Sherry, breaking her heart crying telling me her family home was destroyed by fire. Unfortunately within minutes her house was destroyed, heartbreakingly all Jacqueline could do was stand by and watch her beautiful home burning before her eyes.”
Glenda added: “Thankfully no one was hurt which is the main thing but they are left without everything that makes a home and it’s only two weeks before Christmas.”
She explained that Jacqueline is a lifelong friend of hers, having been in each other’s lives since the age of four. She decided to launch the page after receiving countless messages of support from the local community.
Rathnew GAA, which the Sherry family are members of, also posted about the incident and urged locals to donate where possible. The costs will go towards repairing the extensive damage caused to both the exterior and interior of the family home.
There was an outpouring of encouraging messages written underneath the GoFundMe post. Many people extended their sympathies to Jacqueline and her family, along with their donations.
One person wrote: “So glad to read that nobody was injured in the fire- time will ease any pain. On Christmas Day hold hands all together for one minute and feel safe.”
You can donate to the fundraiser here.
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