Kindness from the Inishowen community and beyond will cover the costs of the funerals of two teenage boys who died in the weekend’s water tragedy in Buncrana.
A GoFundMe campaign launched yesterday has already raised over €17,500, nearly double its initial target.
Hundreds of donations have been made to support the families of 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda “in their darkest hour”.
The ‘Lough Swilly Tragedy’ fund is being managed by Insight Inishowen, a local charity in the community which is one of the member groups of The Exchange Community Centre.
They said: “Having the privilege to know the boys and the families we are heartbroken by their loss and want to do everything to help ease the financial burden at a time of such unimaginable pain and loss.”
As a registered charity, Insight Inishowen will ensure that every penny raised will be divided equally between the two grieving families.
Funeral details are yet to be confirmed for Emmanuel Familola (16) who came to Ireland a couple of years ago with his family from Nigeria, and Matt Sibanda (18) who is from Zimbabwe.
The two teenagers were both living with their families in IPAS centres in the town and attending the local post-primary schools.
A vigil for the young men on Sunday heard how two families who found welcome in Buncrana, who travelled here for safety, found tragedy.
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown said that many had turned up to show solidarity, through experiencing past traumas in the area themselves.
“The community is affected as well, as there are many people here who have also been touched by other tragedies in their lives, in the water or on land.”
He also emphasised the role that the local community has played in supporting the families of Matt and Emmanuel in the day following such an unspeakable tragedy.
“It’s no surprise that there are so many from this generous, welcoming community here today to gather around the two bereaved families, as we are all scarred by this, and memories of past losses are awakened again.”
To donate to the GoFundMe page, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lough-swilly-tragedy
