Donations from members of the public have been used to pay for a headstone on the grave of a popular homeless man who died in Derry last year.
Following his death, SDLP assembly member, Mark H Durkan launched a JustGiving appeal to raise £2,000 to cover the funeral costs for Jimmy Brolly. The 59-year-old lived at Damien House Hostel and was a well-known figure around Derry city centre. Originally from Scotland, Mr Brolly was a former jockey.
In 2015, he came to wider public prominence when he accidentally caught fire in an incident close to Derry’s Translink bus station.
Following the launch of the JustGiving appeal in November last year, the £2,000 required to cover his funeral costs was met and surpassed within hours, indicating the affection with which Mr Brolly was held in the city. The surplus money was subsequently used to purchase a headstone for his grave which was erected at the weekend.
Mr Durkan said Mr Brolly was a well-known and popular “fixture” in Derry city centre.
“Jimmy, despite his battles was always glad to stop and share a joke, a tale or a pearl of wisdom. Happy just to share your time.
“Upon his passing I set up a JustGiving page to raise money for a modest funeral and burial for Jimmy. The generosity of the Derry public was, as always, overwhelming. Not only did we raise enough to lay Jimmy to rest after a beautiful dignified funeral but there was enough to buy a headstone which was erected over the weekend.”
