Northern Ireland

Widow of Derry football coach appeals for people to send birthday cards to their young children as they struggle to cope with his death

Bronagh and Thomas Burke with twins Adam and Aoife
Bronagh and Thomas Burke with twins Adam and Aoife Bronagh and Thomas Burke with twins Adam and Aoife

THE widow of a Derry football coach who died aged just 29 has appealed to the public to send birthday cards to their two young children as they struggle to cope with his death.

Bronagh Burke said she would "do anything in my power" to help twins Adam and Aoife (3) following the death of Thomas five weeks ago.

Mr Burke, who was well-known in footballing circles through his involvement with the Derry-based Trojans club, Ballymena United and Derry City, died from a suspected heart attack.

A football coach with Trojans, he collapsed at the family home on April 23.

Last month, Republic of Ireland footballer James McClean completed a gruelling charity challenge in memory of Mr Burke, raising money for a new football kit for the popular coach's Under-5 team.

As the family struggles to deal with their grief, Mrs Burke has called on people to help give her children a "special" birthday, when they turn four this month.

On her Instagram page, she appealed for people to send birthday cards.

"We are trying our best to get as man cards as we can. Adam and I are aiming for 100, Aoife says she doesn't really care how many she gets as long as she gets cards.

"I just would really love this to happen for them because they are struggling, I'm struggling, they're struggling, our family is struggling, everybody is struggling and more so the wains are not coping at all."

If you would like to send the twins a card, please post it to: Adam and Aoife, 24 Gelvin Gardens, Trench Road, Waterside, Derry, BT47 2DQ.