Rugby star Billy’s TV plea helps children’s hospital raise €300k
Couple’s fund in memory of tragic tot
moment – she was five months old. About a week later we were due to go home, we had our bags packed and the night before she took a turn.
“She went into ICU from there and 10 days later she died in Lanlih’s arms.
“It was the rawest emotion imaginable, it’s impossible to put into words.”
The Cork couple, who got married in 2017, were thrilled to find out they were expecting their first child, saying it was a dream come true.
But after Lanlih’s 20-week scan, the couple learned the devastating news their little girl had a heart defect.
Lanlih said: “We fought so hard and she fought so hard. The medical staff fought so hard, we really did. We were devastated, they were devastated, they were crying with us. It was so cruel.
“Then we brought her home and had to face into what no-one should have to face which is picking out her coffin.
“When we were home there had been so much activity, we had nurses in and we had her oxygen machine on. Now it was just silent. It was unbearable.
“My body still longs for her, physically longs for the weight of her, to cuddle and kiss her. It’s overwhelming sometimes.” A Gofundme page set up by the couple to raise money for families of sick children around Ireland amassed donations of more than €290,000 from viewers following their TV appearance.
All cash raised by the Brave Like Emmeline Holland fundraiser will be divided between CHI at Crumlin, Cork University Hospital’s children’s wards and the Ronald Mcdonald House.
To donate visit www.gofundme. com/f/emmelineholland.
news@irishmirror.ie
Pair speaking to Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show and, right, Crumlin Children’s Hospital
Billy playing for Ireland