Family raise thousands in memory of beloved dad

A LOVING family who sadly lost their father to cancer on Christmas Day 2020 have raised £6,800 in his honour, and to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the nurses who cared for him.

Willie Mitchell of Mullaghmore Park, Omagh, who was a dearly-loved father of six daughters and two sons, sadly passed away after a brave and well-fought battle with liver cancer, haemochromatosis, and other health troubles.

To help keep his ‘kind-hearted’ and ‘funny’ spirit alive, and ensure that good prevails from even the deepest heartbreaks, Willie’s children, including Donna, Marian, Sinead, Tina and Laura, have spent months hosting a plethora of fundraising events – including a well-attended hike across the vast Cuilcagh mountain; bingo nights; and a craft fair – in aid of Marie Curie.

Speaking to the UH, Donna Chisholm recalled, with fondness and love, memories of her father, whom she said ‘loved life – even right up to the end’. “Daddy was very funny,” she smiled. “You couldn’t pass him without him making a joke. He was very-much a family man, a very hard worker, and, despite having eight children, he made time for every one of us.

He also adored his grandchildren; he was mad about them.

“Even now, we talk about daddy as if he is still here.”

‘Wonderful life’

Paying testament to her father’s steadfast spirit and zest for life, Donna continued, “Daddy did not want to die. In April of 2020, we were told that he had ‘only months to live’. But he well-surpassed that – he fought to the end.”

At the end of her father’s wonderful life, Donna recounted the kindness and excellence of the Marie Curie nurses, who ‘looked after him with such care in his dying days’.

“They really were excellent,” Donna said. “They were an incredible help; providing discreet and professional care. They will always be a charity close to our hearts.”

Concluding, Donna wished to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the family’s fundraising drive. Raising money for daddy kept our spirits up,” Donna said. “We are so proud of him – and we hope he is so proud of us, too.”

l If you would like to help Donna and her family raise money for Marie Curie in honour of Willie Mitchell, please visit this site.