Updated 1.52pm
A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN for a widowed father-of-five who is battling to keep his home, has raised more than €40,000 in just one day.
This week TheJournal.ie revealed Bank of Ireland had a possession order for 40-year-old Ray Flavin’s house in Lisselton, Co Kerry, and was fighting his appeal, despite admitting in February that it had overcharged him on his tracker mortgage.
It also emerged in the High Court recently that the bank had included almost eight acres of Flavin’s father’s land – which was not mortgaged - in the possession order, and the Circuit Court had still granted it.
Flavin, whose wife Trish died suddenly in January this year, told TheJournal.ie he would not “be giving up”.
She made a perfect life for me there and I won’t let anyone take it, they’ll have to shoot me or knock it down around me.
Two friends of Flavin’s, Brian Fouhy and Niall McMahon, set up a GoFundMe page and in just one day it has raised more than €40,000. The page was set up on Tuesday, but it was not until last night that it started to take off.
“I didn’t see that coming, it’s going from strength to strength” Fouhy told TheJournal.ie this morning. “One guy put in €501, I’m just blown away by that.”
It’s been a disaster for him. He has five lovely kids and there’s a big mortgage there to get clear so we’ll do whatever we need to.
Donations on the page range from €5 to €501 and many of the almost 1,000 contributors have left comments to show their support for the Kerry man. Here are just a few:
Well chief I don’t know you and you don’t know me…but what I do know is that the banks etc need to realise we are all actual humans beings, not f***ing bank account numbers. I hope things work out for you and your family. I have three small kids myself and not much cash, but don’t think I could cope if I were in your situation. Best of luck pal, stay strong.
I know it’s not much, but I truly hope it helps. What has happened to your family is so upsetting and wrong. Look after yourself and your beautiful children.
Mr Flavin, I hope this donation helps in some small way in your fight against BoI. Truly horrible, the way you and your family have been treated. I’m sure your wife is looking down on you and your children with pride. Good luck!
This will all work out for you. We all have your back. Irish people will rally together for this. Stay strong.
From little acorns mighty oaks grow.
Hi Ray & family, it’s my pleasure to help, and I wish you and your children the very best of wishes. This is just a battle..we will help you win the war.
You may only be one man, but you must fight Ray. Fight and win. We are behind you brother.
Ray, I am so very sorry for the loss of your wife. I truly hope and pray things will get better for you and your children. Your wife would be very proud of you.
Keep fighting Ray. Really hope there are brighter days ahead for you all.
All the good people of Ireland are behind you.
Fouhy said all funds will go towards paying off the arrears on Flavin’s mortgage. The GoFundMe page can be found here.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say