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Family of young mother (30) who died suddenly raise £17,000 to set up trust fund for her children

West Belfast mother Louise McIlwane, who died suddenly in January, pictured with her young children Tom and Martin
West Belfast mother Louise McIlwane, who died suddenly in January, pictured with her young children Tom and Martin West Belfast mother Louise McIlwane, who died suddenly in January, pictured with her young children Tom and Martin

RELATIVES of a young west Belfast mother who died suddenly have raised £17,000 from a city centre abseil to set up a trust fund for her children.

Louise McIlwaine, who was from Lenadoon, died in the intensive care unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in January, a week after suffering an epileptic seizure outside her parents’ home at Rinnalea Gardens.

The 30-year-old hairdresser and beauty therapist, had just kissed her two little boys Tom and Martin goodbye.

She never regained consciousness after undergoing emergency brain surgery and passed away with her family by her bedside.

On Sunday 30 relatives, including aunts, uncles and cousins, abseiled down the front of the Europa Hotel to raise funds to set up a trust for 10 year-old Tom and Martin (7).

Dubbed ‘Louise’s Falling Angels’, the family team took part in the challenge on what they called a ‘day of celebration’ in her memory.

Louise’s uncle Jim McIlwaine, who took part in the abseil with his wife Mary and their two daughters, said Louise's parents were completely "overwhelmed" and "humbled by the generosity of people".

"The camaraderie was great among them all," he said.

"Nobody backed out and there was upwards of 300 supporters on the ground, cheering them on. Louise was in our thoughts the whole time".

Mr McIlwaine said the money raised would make a big difference.

"It just means that when these kids hit 18, there will be a sum of money for them to either get them through education, buy them tools for any trade, maybe give them a gap year out or give them a foundation to build on and maybe just kick-start their wee lives at 18 again.

"The organisers just want to extend a very sincere thank you for the kind and generous donations made."

Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/europaabseil