Duffy family spreads the love

Three charities have benefitted from close to €80,000 in the name of the late Jonathan Duffy, the Glaslough man who died last month, having fallen ill in Australia.

His bereft family members gathered at Errigal Truagh Special Needs Centre last Monday, March 23, to present donations to the chosen charities - the balance of a mammoth fundraising effort that helped bring him home in his final days.

Funds were originally raised through a GoFundMe campaign set up after Jonathan was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. The initiative, organised by friends and family in Australia, ultimately raised €178,000. After covering the cost of Jonathan’s return to Ireland and related care, the remaining funds were distributed equally between three local causes, each receiving €26,000.

Speaking at the cheque presentation, Jonathan’s brother Francie Duffy recalled the difficult circumstances that led to the fundraiser.

“We were told that it was very short-term. Untreated, he probably wouldn’t see Christmas. So, we had to act. The family decided that chemo and radiation would be very severe,” he said.

Francie spent 10 weeks with his brother before they could finally bring him home. He credited a group of Jonathan’s friends and cousins in Australia—whom he affectionately described as the “Australian Irish Army”—with taking the initiative.

“They landed to the house one morning and asked me what I wanted to do. I said, ‘we’re living day by day, but I’d love to get him home’,” he explained.

Despite initial reluctance, the family agreed to the fundraiser. “So, the GoFundMe was set up... Once Jonathan hit Irish soil the GoFundMe was switched off,” Francie said.

Jonathan returned to Ireland on Saturday, February 7, with medical assistance. He passed away just three days later. “He knew he was home, was in good form and ate his dinner. Home to Mammy and Daddy, that initial hug was something I’ll never forget,” Francie added.

The “amazing” fundraiser organisers, including cousins Wayne and Chris Duffy, Johnny McQuaid, and friend Niall Kennedy, were praised for their efforts and support. “They all flew over to the funeral and helped carry the coffin.”

Following Jonathan’s passing, it was decided that the remaining funds would be donated to causes meaningful to the family. “It had to go to charity and I said I’d love to give it to cancer; CROCUS was the first one I came up with. I like what Errigal Truagh Special Needs do too and mum works with The Holy Family School, as a carer on the bus,” Francie explained.

He emphasised that the donations were made possible by the generosity of others. While, the family showed up to make the cheque presentations, it was the people who donated who made the presentations possible, he acknowledged.

Jonathan was remembered as outgoing and charming, having built a life and career in construction in Australia.

“Jonathan would have been 50 on March 20. He didn’t see his 50th, but we got him home,” Francie reflected. “I’d like to thank all his mates in Australia that were there for him. They had a birthday party for him… there was over 100 people there and there were photographs of him up.”

Representatives from the beneficiary organisations also expressed their gratitude. Rachel Moynagh, principal of the Holy Family School, said: “From such a sad occasion for the family, they can now spread so much love to other people.”

Dr Michael McGinnity, speaking on behalf of CROCUS Cancer Support Centre, highlighted the organisation’s reliance on public support and said the donation would help fund services such as counselling and therapies.

Meanwhile, Bernie McKenna of Errigal Truagh Special Needs Centre described the contribution as “amazing”, saying that it would assist with planned extensions to the facility.

On behalf of his parents Aidan and Anna; sisters Jacqueline and Majella, brother Adrian and the entire family, Francie thanked everyone who donated to bring their beloved Jonathan home.