Fundraiser for Laois family who lost everything in terrifying house fire
The family of four are currently in emergency accommodation in a hotel bedroom
AN online fundraising effort is underway to assist a Portlaoise family who lost everything they had when their house burnt down on Friday evening 4 July.
Erin Finnerty along with her partner John and their two young children had moved into their new home just under a year ago, when the terrifying fire ripped through it and completely destroyed it.
On the same day, other terrified families were forced to flee their homes in the Monks Bridge area of Maryborough Village, just off the Mountrath Road in Portlaoise as the flames engulfed two other houses.
All escaped without serious physical injury, with the exception of one man who sustained a broken shoulder when the patio door of his house exploded with the intense heat.
Now two weeks on Erin’s sister Niamh has issued an appeal for help in trying to assist her sister’s family build back their lives in some small way.
Taking to the online funding page, GoFundMe, Niamh wrote: “I’m fundraising to help my sister Erin and her family whose home was destroyed in a house. Erin, her husband John and their two young boys aged 13 and 8 were so blessed to escape alive thank God, but the house is totally gutted and everything they owned is gone.
“This GoFundMe will go towards their immediate needs, clothes and basic essentials to assist the four of them currently in emergency accommodation (one hotel room) which is not easy with two traumatised kids. We would also hope to replace some of the boys’ toys/games to help them cope at this difficult time.”
Niamh wrote: “The family had only moved in less than one-year ago after years on the housing list and they have no insurance. They’d spent the last year making a loving Forever Home for them and their boys and now they are faced with the uncertain future of homelessness and trying to pick up the pieces from scratch.
“They are devastated to lose their memory boxes including baby items, first playschool/school drawings, their wedding album and sentimental things which cannot be replaced, but the priority is their short-term situation.”
“I would appeal to your generosity as every donation no matter how small will make a huge difference to this young family. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this appeal and we appreciate your support. Thank you.”
You can access the GoFundMe page by logging onto - www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-my-sisters-family-after-a-devasting-house-fire?cdn-cache=0
