Funeral funds for hero dad’s send-off
THE family of a father who tragically drowned while trying to saving his daughter has urged mourners to help ‘safeguard the future’ of his wife and children.
Paul Doran, 45, died last week while attempting to rescue his 11-year-old daughter who got into trouble while swimming off the west coast of Australia.
As the family seek to bring his remains home, they have set up a Go Fund Me page in order to help with repatriation and funeral arrangements.
Paul along with his wife and their three children had been visiting Seven Mile Beach on Lennox Head, in the state of New South Wales.
His heartbroken wife Simonne and children Lyra, Vann and Shay, are being consoled by Paul’s parents in Australia, after they flew out on Sunday.
Paul, originally from Tipperkevin in Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, died after he rushed into the waves and swam out to rescue his daughter Lyra, who was on a bodyboard and got into difficulty.
The family issued a statement, detailing their devastation at the sudden loss, urging the public for help at this trying time.
‘It is hard to believe that we have lost Paul, and under such traumatic circumstances. He was so looking forward to the future and had so many plans for his family,’ they began.
The statement detailed how funds raised would help give Paul the send-off he deserves.
‘Your support is helping with a funeral service in Australia and at home in Ireland. It will ensure Paul’s family can afford flights home to do this and be surrounded by friends and family who knew and loved Paul.
‘We want those kids to have the life that Paul dreamed for them and worked hard for. Thank you for your donations, for sharing, and for making this possible,’ the statement concluded.
More than €51,000 has been raised so far.