Christmas has been made for struggling families in Newry – yet again – as a Banbridge viral internet sensation pledges another £10,000 donation… for the second year in a row!
Every year, Newry’s Ernie Campbell – with the help of his dad Mickey – set themselves a target of £20k with the aim of buying 1,000 toys for children and families within the care system and providing approximately 100 families with turkey and ham for Christmas dinners.
Their outreach work also extends beyond Christmas support with the provision of some 300 sleeping bags to keep Ireland’s homeless population warm in the coldest winter months.
Last year, Ernie was blown away as Banbridge online fitness guru, Sean Casey stepped up to the mark with a whopping £10,000 donation to his cause.
And now, Sean has once again come through with another donation of the same amount – bringing his contribution to the truly philanthropic work to £20,000 in two years.
Ernie and Mickey’s fundraising has spanned almost a decade and in that time they have raised almost half-a-million pounds to help those less fortunate during one of the hardest times of year.
They also work closely with The Make A Wish Foundation which seeks to make terminally ill children’s biggest dreams a reality… meaning that monies raised could also help make “dying wishes come true”.
Speaking of this year’s sizeable donation, Ernie said: “Sean Casey mate your an absolute one off mate.
“Sean has gone and done it again this xmas by donating £10,000 to help our homeless and grant the wishes of kids who have been through illnesses like Cancer, Leukemia etc.
“Last year we granted three wishes and bought 100s of sleeping bags and tents for the homeless.
“Sean thank you doesn’t do it justice of how grateful I am and those who will receive the help.”
Ernie also took the opportunity to give a massive thanks to Aine Frame who donated a much needed £200 that same night.
Speaking to Armagh I about Sean’s donation last year, Ernie explained that the young personal trainer has been a constant supporter of his community work.
He initially got involved with their project in 2023 when two young brothers tragically lost their only parent.
To help, Sean put money towards their electric and oil bills and even helped cover the cost of their mother’s funeral.
Said Ernie last year: “There’s no better feeling on Christmas morning sitting on the back step with a cup of tea and you realise there’s 1000 kids opening presents that wouldn’t have got one otherwise.
“It’s unbelievable. A lot of people say they will help or giving something but Sean never promised anything. He just delivered.”
