More than £200,000 has been raised for the children of a Co Armagh couple who died after a serious traffic incident earlier this month.
Patrick Grimley (40) died after a four-vehicle collision near Markethill on November 4 while his wife Ciera passed away in hospital a week later.
The couple had three children, Tagdh, Mya and Cadhla.
From Madden in Co Armagh, they were travelling home in a taxi from Dundalk where they had been celebrating Mr Grimley’s 40th birthday, when the collision took place.
Their friend, neighbour, and mother-of-four, Ciara McElvanna (44), died in the Royal Victoria Hospital days after the incident from the injuries she sustained.
A Go Fund Me page set up on Sunday had raised more than £40,000 by yesterday morning – easily passing its £1,000 goal.
By last night, the total had climbed to over £150,000 and by this morning it had reached £200,000.
Read More:
- Ciera Grimley: Mother-of-three to be laid to rest beside husband after crash claimed both their lives
- Wife of All-Ireland winner is second person to die in Armagh road crash
A message posted by Lorraine Grimley said “anyone reading this probably know of the tragedy that has fell on the Grimley children recently".
“A family outing celebrating Patrick’s 40th birthday ended in tragedy and three children have been left without their parents and another family without their beautiful mother,” she wrote.
“This tragedy has plunged us all in grief and hopeless as to how to help them.
“This is the only practical thing we can do.”
Several large donations have been made so far, including several of £1,000.
Ms Grimley said that all cash raised will go towards helping the Grimley children.
“Any money raised will be used for the children to assist them in their practical day-to-day needs,” Lorraine wrote.
“If you can help, please do so and if you can’t, please keep these children in your thoughts and prayers.”
All three of those who died had strong links to the GAA, with Mr Grimley serving as secretary of Madden Raparees in Co Armagh while his brother Niall is an Armagh senior footballer.
Ms McElvanna’s husband Kevin is a former All-Ireland winner with Orchard County.
To make a donation please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/patrick-and-cieras-children?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=chat&utm_source=whatsApp.