NEW CHARITY AIMS TO CREATE HEART ANGEL GARDENS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE
DIED IN EVERY COUNTY IN IRELAND
A new charity has been launched in memory of a young girl who died
suddenly in September of last year. The Heart Angel is inspired by
9-year-old Béibhinn O’Connor from Riverstick and Carrigaline in Cork
and aims to celebrate and commemorate her life and the lives of other
children who have passed away in Ireland.
The Heart Angel was launched at Cork City Hall by Cllr. Fergal
Dennehy, Deputising for the Lord Mayor and Cllr. Séamus McGrath,
Deputising for the County Mayor.
Béibhinn suffered from a rare congenital heart defect, and she passed
away on the 16th of September 2020 after a routine procedure following
open-heart surgery triggered a cardiac arrest.
The Heart Angel charity plans to create beautiful inspiring memory
gardens in every county in Ireland and has already begun working with
local authorities. The first Heart Angel garden is planned for
Carrigaline, Co Cork, a second garden will be created in Cork City
next year.
A special concert to celebrate Béibhinn’s life will also be held on
the 4th of September.
Béibhinn’s mother Irene O’Connor says: “The gardens are inspired by
positivity, kindness, creativity, and colour and will be rolled out
throughout the 26 counties of Ireland in memory of children who
passed. There will be a sculpture in each garden of the ‘Heart Angel’
which will represent children who have died. We want the gardens to be
colourful, uplifting and inspiring to all members of society. We also
want to lift the taboo of speaking about a child’s death and to create
a place where their friends and family can remember them in a positive
light. Béibhinn Hope O’Connor, during her short life, inspired
everyone around her to ‘Be Kind’. She lived everyday like it was her
last and has left behind a powerful legacy of kindness, love and
positivity.”
Cllr. Seamus McGrath says, "I was absolutely delighted to deputise for the County Mayor for this wonderful event. I have so much admiration for Béibhinn's parents, Irene and Eoin, they are truly inspirational people. They are going to create something so positive and special in honour of Béibhinn. The Heart Angel gardens will be amazing and I want to thank all of those involved with Irene and Eoin as well. "
For more information about the Heart Angel charity, please visit the
website www.theheartangel.com
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