Fundraiser for family of young Offaly father who died from cancer surpasses €100,000

Fundraising for a family left devastated following the death of a young Offaly father from cancer has surpassed the €100,000 mark. 

The GoFundMe fundraiser was organised on behalf of the Dooley family following the death of James Dooley, of Kinnitty. 

The organisers said: "We are devastated by the recent passing of beloved father and husband James Dooley. Over the past year, James bravely battled a rare and aggressive form of cancer with Sharon and their 4 young children by their side, aged between 3 and 9 years of age".

They outlined that James, pictured above, had to down tools as a self employed stonemason and in prioritising James’ care, his wife Sharon exhausted all of her available leave as a primary school teacher.

"This Go Fund Me was set up by friends and family and will hopefully allow Sharon to take additional time off work to help their beautiful children navigate their life without James," the organisers, Lavinia, Ciara and Órla said.

Having reached their target of €100,000 this week, they thanked everyone for their support. 

"Lavinia, Ciara and I would like to say a Huge Thank You to Everyone who has donated to our 'Let's Do It for the Dooleys' Go Fund Me so far. We have reached the target of €100,000 today and we are so so grateful to everyone," Órla said earlier this week. 

"People who would like to, can still donate and all donations will still be gratefully accepted during the coming days and weeks. Each and every donation will go to Sharon and her beautiful family.

"We are so so overwhelmed with the support and donations," Órla said. 

On Thursday morning the total reached was €104,370. 

James Dooley, Cloghanmore, Kinnitty, Birr, Co. Offaly, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, October, 20th, 2023.

Donations can be made here