A GoFundMe page established to provide financial assistance to a local family whose home was completely gutted by a serious fire has raised almost €100,000 to date.
Fortunately, Mount Temple residents, Lisa and Nigel Grennan, and their two children were not present at the time of the fire incident, but they now face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives and their home following the loss of all which they possess.
Affording his sympathies to the family and lending his support to the GoFundMe page, Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Frankie Keena, paid tribute to the local community who continue to be of immense support to the Grennan family.
“On Thursday afternoon last, the family home of Nigel and Lisa Grennan in Mount Temple was gutted by a serious fire leaving just a smouldering heap of timber, blocks and ashes. All their personal belongings were lost in the fire leaving them only with the clothes on their backs. It was a blessing that Nigel, Lisa and their two young children were not in the house at the time.
“Following an emergency meeting in the church that evening led by Fr Joe, a GoFundMe Page entitled the ‘Grennan Family Support Fund’ was established, offering the local community an opportunity to help the family through this extremely traumatic time.
“The whole community throughout Mount Temple, Baylin and further afield has responded with a fantastic wave of kindness, generosity, support and goodwill towards the Grennan family. Donations are flooding in via monetary, building materials and work in kind, which is so much appreciated.
“When we think back to the distress and trauma caused to everyone by the pandemic over the last year and a half and then we witness the uniting of a community to give assistance to the Grennan family who are experiencing an immediate crisis in their lives, it clearly portrays a beautiful act of human kindness which shows us what community is all about.
“Unfortunately, one of the firefighters who attended the fire that day sustained serious injuries. I commend our fire service members who daily put their lives at risk to assist members of the community. It shows their commitment and selflessness as they respond to that 999 emergency call. I do hope that this brave fireman makes a full recovery and I thank him and his colleagues for all their work,” Cllr Keena asserted.
