A Co Derry family struck by double tragedy has been left “broken” after a blaze destroyed their family home on Christmas day.
Colette McErlean and her two sons Oisin and Conleth escaped with their lives when fire swept through their home in Maghera early on Wednesday morning.
The family was previously hit by tragedy when in November 2009 Ms McErlean lost her 14-year-old son Paddy in a quad accident close to their home.
Three years earlier, in October 2006, her husband Joe died suddenly aged 58.
Cherished photographs and other personal possessions belonging to the father and son were completely destroyed in the Christmas morning inferno that engulfed the Craigmore Road home at around 8am.
The local community is now rallying behind the popular family and a GoFundMe appeal set up on Friday has already raised more than £74,000.
The fundraising drive has been organised by Ellen Crozier, Oisin’s girlfriend.
Ms Crozier described the fire as “horrendous”.
She told how the family carried a burden even before Wednesday’s crushing blaze.
“Every single day was a battle for the three of them to get through, even the smallest of things, Christmas time, birthdays, it’s horrendous at the best of times.
“I keep saying to the two boys, whenever you are at rock bottom the only way you can go is up and you have to have that small glimmer of hope that things will get better, and with the help of everybody around us.”
Ms Crozier said that treasured mementos have been lost in the blaze.
“The pictures in that house were unbelievable, the memories, there was a story on every wall,” she said.
“You could have sat down in that house and talked about one wall for hours.”
Ms Crozier said Ms McErlean has suffered over the years.
“It was amazing, the way Collette had the house, there was even stuff there of Joe’s that she didn’t want to touch and stuff of Paddy’s she never touched from the day he died,” she said.
“She didn’t want to move it.
“At the end of the day she is an ordinary mother that has lost so much throughout her life.
“It’s been so sad, the poor woman, and she is the best in the world.”
Ms Crozier said the latest blow has had a devastating impact on Oisin and Conleth but that both are grateful for the support of their local community.
“I just keep reminding them that it is speaking volumes of them that these people want to help,” she said.
“I am trying to remind them that they have the support of everybody, because they are just completely broken.
“They are two broken boys, two broken men, you have never seen anything like it.
“It’s hard for men to show emotion and get their head around things but they are just completely overwhelmed by everybody, the support.
“They are so grateful, they are so thankful, beyond thankful.
The McErleans' local GAA club, Watty Graham’s GAC, Glen, is also rallying behind the stricken family,
In a statement the All-Ireland club champions said: “The McErlean family have a long association with Watty Grahams and while we are relieved no one was hurt in the fire, it’s devastating they have lost their home and all of their lifetime possessions.
“The response to the fundraising effort has been phenomenal and we would encourage everyone to show their support in getting the family back on their feet.”
Soccer club Maghera StrollerS FC, where Oisin is a youth coach, has also urged support for the fundraiser and made a significant donation.
To make a donation please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-the-mcerlean-family-from-maghera.
