A family have raised over 14k to help local charities and the Irish Heart Foundation.
Over the Christmas holiday of 2018 the Franey/Dunne family had their world turned upside down following the death of two family members.
John Franey from Rathnew died three days after Christmas the day after his funeral, his daughter Siobhan died suddenly at her home in Wicklow Town on New Year’s day.
Last week the family met in Rathnew and made donations of defibrillators and cash from fund raising events.
Family member Glenda Franey/Conyard said
“We raised €14,304 by taking part firstly in the women’s mini marathon, then local schools held charity events and family members held coffee mornings and cake sales, we donated Rathnew’s first defibrillator which is now in the Main Street.
We also donated a second defibrillator to the Rathnew community centre, and made a donation to a third defibrillator which is now outside Centra, Rathnew, and also donated two defibrillator boxes to Joseph’s church Rathnew and Wicklow rowing club which Siobhan was a member.
A few years back these places had defibrillators but not the box to place them outside, but they do now, which means both are accessible to the public at all times, after this we were left with €10,416 so we donated €2,000 to Wicklow Community First Responders and €8,416 to The Irish Heart Foundation.
Fr Donal Roche blessed the main village one on Tuesday night and cheques were presented to Kate From The Irish Heart Foundation and Wicklow Community first Responders.
It was a lovely evening in memory of our sister Siobhan Franey Dunne who passed away suddenly from cardiac Arrest on January 1st 2019 at the young age of 47.”
