Northern Ireland

James McClean offers to help homeless mum-to-be

Ireland star James McClean has stepped in to help a pregnant homeless woman. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 
Ireland star James McClean has stepped in to help a pregnant homeless woman. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  Ireland star James McClean has stepped in to help a pregnant homeless woman. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 

REPUBLIC of Ireland star James McClean has offered to buy a caravan for a homeless woman who is expecting twins.

The 27-year-old footballer from Derry made the offer through his wife Erin’s Facebook page after learning of the plight of an English woman known only as Lisa.

News of his donation emerged when it was revealed that the homeless woman was living by the River Medway in south east England with her partner in a makeshift home.

In a post on his wife’s Facebook page, McClean said: “Look I know it ain’t much and even if it’s temporary until a house is found but being a father myself no babies should live homeless so I would be willing to purchase this caravan for them and keep them out of the cold.”

He attached an advertisement for a four-berth Swift Corvette caravan for sale in Maidstone, Kent.

Charity worker, Neil Charlick, who had been helping the couple, said McClean sent him a message through his wife’s page.

He said: “I have respect for the man. He has had some stick for other things he has done but fair play to the bloke for doing this.”

McClean is gaining a growing reputation for his generosity to charitable causes. In the past, he has helped purchase gifts for children and in July this year helped a family in his native Creggan with the funeral costs for their son. Earlier in the year, he helped another family with a financial donation after their son was killed in a car accident.

The West Brom player has also provided financial help for a Derry family whose son had to undergo life-saving heart surgery in London.

In June 2015, he donated new kit to Sean Dolans’ GAA team, the Creggan club he played with as a youngster.