Fund in memory of Edenderry's Billy almost at €100,000

Edenderry couple Michelle and Mark Murphy set out on a mission to raise €100,000 in 2010, after their young son Billy died.

Four and a half years on and the family is thanking everyone who gave to the cause, with the Billy Murphy Memorial Fund likely to hit the €100,000 within weeks.

The Billy Murphy Memorial Fund was set up in the wake of the death of five-and-a-half-month-old Billy in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

Diagnosed with Digeorge Syndrome when he was just a few days old, Billy had major heart abnormalities and kidney defects. On December 21, 2009 he died unexpectedly before undergoing kidney repair surgery. In January 2010 the fund in his memory was set up with a mission of raising €100,000.

By December 2013 the fund stood at €92,739, with the majority of those funds donated to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and others given to 22q11 Ireland, Heart Children Ireland, Little Wishes Edenderry and Scoil Bhride’s sensory garden and playground.

Already this year another €6,000 has been added to that thanks to events including an Easter raffle, a coffee morning, the women’s mini-marathon and a golf event.

Events still being planned include the fifth and final Billy Murphy Memorial Golf Classic sponsored by Al Hayes Motors on August 22 in Edenderry Golf Club, a monster raffle with prizes including an iPad and an overnight spa package for two in the Ice House Hotel and a parachute jump by Billy’s uncle Glenn Kelly.

Before those events that will push the total raised to the magic €100,000 and beyond, the Murphy family are taking time out to express their gratitude to everyone involved with their efforts in recent years.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have supported us along the way and thank most sincerely the vast amount of individuals and businesses who have sponsored us,” they said this week.

“The generosity has been tremendous and the support overwhelming. We will be forever grateful. Thank you for making our dreams come true and helping us pay a fitting tribute to our son’s memory.”

Support is still welcome at the Billy Murphy Memorial Golf Classic, with time slots available from Ray on 086 8441449, Rosaleen on 087 6481226 or Edenderry Golf Club on 046 9731072.

Sponsors are also encouraged to make contact, while tickets for a monster raffle to be held the same evening are available from the Murphy family and friends as well as on the day for €2 each or three for €5.

Details of Billy’s uncle Glenn’s skydive - Jump4Billy - are available at www.cmrf.org and The Billy Murphy Memorial Fund Facebook page.