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07th May 2022

Kerry family appeal to buy family home after parents dies only months apart

Ellen Fitzpatrick

Such a tragedy.

Four young boys in Co Kerry are appealing to buy their family home after they were struck with losing both of their parents in only a matter of months.

The people of Milltown, Kerry were devastated when news broke of Padraig and Elaine Clifford’s passing only months apart from the same illness, leaving behind four children ageing from five to 21.

Padraig died in January at 46 from cancer and his wife Elaine passed five months earlier, the day before her 41st birthday.

Patrick, 21, Jack, 14, Andrew, eight and Conor, five, are now hoping to buy their rented family home in Milltown as a way to “secure their future”.

Their GoFundMe has already raised €36,000 out of its €80,000 goal.

The organisers wrote: “Patrick 21, Jack 14, Andrew 8 and Conor 5 lost both their parents to cancer in the space of five months.

“This heartbreaking story has touched many people near and far, it has left the community of Milltown in disbelief that this could happen to one family in such a short space of time.

“In May 2021 the boys’ mom, Elaine, was diagnosed with stage four cancer, after a short time and a big fight, she lost her battle to cancer on August 28th 2021, leaving behind her heartbroken husband Padraig and her beloved boys.

“Padraig found it very difficult to come to terms with the loss of his soulmate, his amazing wife and mother to their four beautiful boys.

“Padraig tried to get on with life as best he could with the great help of family and friends who rallied around him.

“Little did Padraig know when he felt unwell in December 2021 that he too had cancer. He was admitted to Unversity Hospital Kerry on January 17th 2022 and following tests he was diagnosed with aggressive cancer.

“Padraig fought hard to keep his promise to beautiful wife Elaine to look after their boys but unfortunately lost his battle to cancer eight days later on Tuesday the 25th of January 2022 surrounded by his loving family and friends.

“The boys now reside in the rented family home in Milltown; this fundraiser is being set up to raise enough money to allow the Clifford boys to purchase their family home and secure their future.

“Any donations to help the Clifford boys reach their goal of owning their own home would be very much appreciated.”