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A 41-YEAR-OLD unemployed chef who wishes to be known only as Liam is going to make a family’s Christmas dream come true by hosting them in his own home and cooking them Christmas dinner.
Liam, who prefers to keep himself out of the limelight, contacted TheJournal.ie last week with the incredibly generous offer. He had lost his mother just three weeks earlier and, motivated by the reports of hundreds of families without permanent homes this winter, said he would like to host one of these families in his rented apartment and give them a happy Christmas together.
Now, it seems, his offer has been heartily accepted by a pregnant mum, her six children and her partner, who were recently evicted from their home.
Councillor Noel Rock, who became aware of Liam’s offer through TheJournal.ie’s story, put the family in touch with the generous chef. He said:
The woman in question seems very taken aback, overwhelmed and delighted by the gesture.
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Liam – who tweets healthy, affordable recipes at @BiaMaith and on Facebook - is now busy making last-minute preparations to prepare the feast for eight people – but says that while he has the food element taken care of, he needs help with some of the other aspects to making the day as great as possible for the family – transport, clothes and presents for the children.
Found family and need help to make 6 kids dad and pregnant mums xmas amazing. Need clothes and toys tweet companies and share #itsnotaboutme
He told TheJournal.ie that he doesn’t want individuals to pledge their hard-earned money or Christmas treats but rather that he’s hoping companies could reach out and donate some clothes or toys to the day. He’s asking people to share his appeal updates on social media to make it happen.
If you represent a company interested in helping out, contact Liam directly on his Twitter account here - or on his Facebook account here.
Is it it all about you or will you help? Don't need your money just tell People to tag penny's and Smyths toy stores. #itsnotaboutme
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Can you all seriously stop thinking about the parents for one moment and think of the six kids.
Who cares if the parents messed up dramatically time and time again. SERIOUSLY LIKE!
THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE PARENTS AND THEIR PROBLEMS!!!
This is about six kids and that is it.
If you don’t get that then I really don’t know that to say.
I can close my eyes and smile when I think of the wonderful Christmas’s I have had thanks to my mum and dad. Most of us can.
IS IT TO MUCH TO ASK that for one the lot of you shut up about your politics etc and think of six kids and how magical we can make their Christmas #itsnotaboutme
Well said Bia Maith, and fair play to you. The world needs more compassionate people like you. It is about the children, it’s Christmas for God’s sake!
You will be helping to give these children some happy Christmas memories and that’s a wonderful gift. I’m so sorry about your Mother by the way, she obviously did a great job bringing you up! Wishing you a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2015.
Sorry but 910 euro a month alone for 7 kids from child benefit , on top of the social that her and her partner are receiving per week ( assuming the are not working ) , they would also be entitled to rent allowance too , am I missing something here ??
@jiminy, Vincent and others. I’ve a great idea. Why doesn’t the state just take the children of those who have fallen on hard times into care?There must be loads of industrial schools lying empty. Hardly surprising we have such an appalling history when it comes to women and children when attitudes have barely changed.
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