Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BEFORE HITTING BIG TIME
but he’s not gone from our lives, he’s still very much a family member.
“But there’s no point in doing what you’re doing if you’re not happy, you have to really enjoy it.
“Touring is really hard and Rory’s mam’s at home and she’s not well – he was travelling back and forth every weekend to see his mother and I think it got too much.
“That’s OK, that’s quite all right and I think he wanted to go on and do other things. He loves radio so he’s off doing that now.
“I’m delighted for him, I wish him the very best. Life is short, you’ve got to follow and do what you’re happy doing, there’s no bitterness there or anything like that.”
Fiona is again following in her dad’s philanthropic ways by embarking on a mammoth trek from Cork to Belfast next Friday to raise funds for Billy’s World, a charity close to her heart.
She is calling on the public to get behind her charity challenge which will see her walking 32km a day for 13 consecutive days in a bid to raise much-needed funds.
Speaking about her involvement in Billy’s World, the mum of four said she feels for families who can’t go on a normal holiday because their child is disabled.
Fiona added: “Tony Byrne founded Billy’s World after his son Billy passed away from a debilitating illness.
“He wanted to do something in his memory. He had Pallister-killian syndrome, a rare developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body, and died shortly before his sixth birthday.
“We’re trying to create a recreational facility that’s all-inclusive for families with children with disabilities.
“It’s a very hard concept for people to understand, they’re used to respite charities and this is a new concept.”
Philanthropy runs in the O’carroll family with Brendan regularly donating to charity.
Fiona said: “It’s in all of us, my whole family. My dad always said you work really hard but what’s the point, you work really hard and you make money. It’s nice
YESTERDAY
to treat yourself now and again but ultimately it’s so much nicer to be able to give it away or enhance somebody else’s life in some way.
“It feels better and worthwhile. I go to work, for my kids first, my family and then I try to go to work for everybody else too.
“We love making people and each other laugh, if we can make each other laugh why not include everyone else and that’s the beauty of it.
“Laughing is good for the soul, it’s a tonic.”
To join Fiona on her journey or dobate visit www.billysworldireland.com.