The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
THE €50,000 target to help repatriate a Clare man from Australia following his diagnosis with terminal illness has been surpassed.
There has been a huge response to a GoFundMe campaign for 46-year-old Brian Meere, who has come back to Ireland in the last week, from Australia, where he was based for many years.
The GoFundMe page set up for Brian says, “Brian regrettably does not have any life insurance and has been unable to work since earlier this year due to his illness.
“Brian’s income was the primary revenue stream for his family – long term partner Adiam and their three children Samantha (17), Leon (7) and Oliver (5).
“As you can imagine this is an extremely upsetting time for all of us who love and know Brian.
Brian wants to return to Ireland for the limited time he has left. He wants to spend quality time with his family and friends here in Dysart, Co. Clare, Ireland and we’d like to enable that and also ensure he does not worry about money and the future of his family.”
It added, “Both Brian and Adiam were not initially supportive of this page being set up as they know everyone has their own struggles. They did eventually agree though because they recognise they need the help.
“If you know Brian, you will know that he would be the first person to put his hand in his pocket to help. Being Brian, he’d also bring you for a drink, maybe treat you to a reel on his banjo and tell you crazy stories that’d have you, and everyone else in the pub, laughing. Now it’s his time to get some help.”
His brother Noel said that Brian becoming so ill was a huge shock.
“It knocked us for six, especially at the age he is, we never expected anything like this.”
It was only in recent weeks that it emerged how sick Brian had become.
“It was June last year when he was diagnosed (with a brain tumour). He had an operation and had treatment. They said he was okay for another while, but he went back for his annual check-up and it wasn’t good news.
“They told him he was terminal and he had limited enough time. They couldn’t give a time frame really, but they said to get his affairs in order.”
It was very hard news for all the family to receive.
“It’s shocking, you’d be numb when you get news like that,” says Noel.
He was thrilled with the level of support for his brother saying, “It’s unbelievable, people are so generous, especially in the times that we are in.”
Brian was set to see specialists in Beaumont on his return to the country.
You can donate at the following link.
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
