***FAIRY DUST TIME WITH LOTS OF LOVE & SYMPATHY*** It is with great sorrow and sadness we have to bring all of our CCF Supporters such heart breaking news. We wanted to give the family of this truly amazing lady time to grieve before we announced this news, we now feel it is time to let you all know about such devastating heartache. We are finding it very hard to write this, our hearts go out to our June CCF Family who has tragically lost their Mother, Wife, Daughter and Friend, Julianne Durkin-O’Brien passed away on the 1st August 2014 at the age of 32. Julianne gave her desperately ill son the strength to live now she watches over him, protecting all her family. Julianne came to us earlier in the year to ask if we could pay for driving lessons for her husband as she had been diagnosed with uncontrollable epilepsy. They were both carers for their son Conor who is diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, his care is 24/7 owed to his complex medical and health care needs ,as well as being loving parents to their youngest son Cameron. We were honoured to do more than this as her story of sheer courage and determination to keep her child alive really did emotionally move all of the CCF Trustees. We financially supported this amazing family for a period of three months to help relieve their money worries so they could afford the lessons her husband desperately needed in order for them to get their son to and from hospital and out the house on his well days. This amazing woman is thought to have suffered a major or prolonged seizure through the night and was never to wake in the morning. Family and friends are heartbroken at her sudden death, Julianne’s mum has told us “There was such a special bond between Julianne and Conor, we are so sad that she has gone, but we know that she will be waiting for Conor in Heaven whenever he goes.” Julie Durkin All of us at the Charlie Cookson Foundation thought, how on earth are they going to cope? We were fully aware of their financial situation and were worried about the stress and strain on her husband Phil. The pressures he would have to cope with on his own, even with the help of his close family would be a struggle. We wanted to help this family and we know Julianne would have loved us to be able to take their money worries away. Phil now has to deal with the devastating grief and loss of the mother of his children and his loving wife, whilst taking on her role as main carer for Connor and continue to love and care for their younger son Cameron. Because of our amazing supporters, customers, donators, hardworking volunteers, and trustees we have been able to help this family further, seeing them safely through to Christmas. You have all raised enough funds to help us financially support this family through such heartache and have taken away their worry of “Will we have enough money to keep our house warm, will we have enough money for food, will we have enough money for petrol to get Conor to and from hospital” they will have thanks to you all. All of your efforts have allowed CCF to financially help a family suffering such devastating heartache and also another family who will be our September CCF Family, to be announced very soon. Two inspirational families in one month - Outstanding efforts from all of you. This Angel will be flying high, knowing that her family is safe in their home, and the financial pressure has been lifted so they can grieve and continue to care 24/7 for her courageous Conor and give the love and care to her younger son Cameron. Julianne’s Mum Julie tells us about her inspirational daughter; “She was an amazing mum, she was like a lioness with her cubs when it came to Conor and her other son Cameron, who’s six, always caring. She was always doing things for other people, but quietly. When it came to Conor, it was the strength of a mother’s love which made her fight for him, for his life and for his quality of life. Julianne didn’t just give Conor hope, she gave other families like hers hope too. She touched so many people’s lives. Julianne won an ECHO Mum of the Year Award and she was nominated for the national Lesley Pearce Women of Courage Awards. But her struggle, inevitably, took its toll when Julianne had a series of seizures and was later diagnosed with epilepsy, the condition which is thought to have led to her death. She went to bed as normal on Thursday, July 31, but when her husband went in to wake her the following morning she was gone. An initial post mortem examination revealed death by natural causes, but medics suspect she had a major or prolonged seizure. It is such a shock, her three sisters and brother have taken it really hard, they were all so close. It’s heart breaking seeing her husband Phil and her sons without her, because they will miss her so much. I worry, too, because Julianne was the only one who could truly understand Conor. They all need her.” Julianne’s mother has expressed her gratitude to the Charlie Cookson Foundation and to everyone who supports us, “It has touched my heart so much for what you have done and continue to do for my girl and her boys. My girl will be shining down, I cannot believe she has gone, I am with her boys now and they are lost without her, we all are. Our hearts are heavy but uplifted at the fact you are all so kind...If only everyone in this world was like yourselves..The World would be a better place” We know you will all want to pass on your love and sympathy to this family, such sadness for one family to bare. Thank you all for your continuous support the work we are able to do with your help is truly life changing for these families. We know you will be looking after each other in Heaven, Charlie and Julianne our hugs are thrown up to you both to catch…you will both be flying high looking after your loved ones. Much love from all of the Trustees, Sarah, Chris, Andrew, Dan, Chris, Helen and everyone within the Charlie Cookson Foundation xxx To read about when we first announced our June CCF Family please click on the link; charliecookson.co.uk/conors-courage/
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 16:46:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015