On Sunday 8th March 2020 my wonderful friend Niamh very tragically passed away aged 22. She had suffered a brain haemorrhage just days previous and very sadly did not come back from it.

My idea with this fundraiser is to hopefully bring together her many of her friendships in the most positive way I can currently think of. As this has all been so sudden my thoughts are very much with her family and costly funeral planning. As well as this I hope to be able to bring some comfort to her family and fiancé Sean. Finally and so importantly, her gorgeous little one Millie who I hope to be able to put money towards to give her the best life possible, despite losing her Mummy.

For those of you reading who did not know Niamh, I would like to share some memories.

Niamh came from an astounding family who welcomed everyone and anyone in to their life and home. Myself and so many other children had the best years playing at their house, being taken care of after school & enjoying large sleepovers at weekends. The house was often full and us kids felt at ease with Niamh's parents Lynda and Richard, her sister Jennifer and her son Connor & her brothers Eamon & Sean. They were the best years, we were never short of any plans and it was lucky that Niamh's parents were so accommodating as Niamh had the most friends I have ever known anyone to have.

This all makes sense as Niamh was just so easy to get along with. She was kind natured, with a great big heart. She was playful, extremely sarcastic & loved to laugh. As she left school and began working she only added to the friendships that she already had cemented. This brought her to meeting Sean, who in time became her fiancé and the father to their beautiful little girl Millie. The family very tragically lost Richard on the 11th March 2019. Niamh's father was a wonderful kindly man, a great conversationist and had this aura about him that made you feel happy to be in his company. Despite their heartache, the family persevered. Niamh lived a happy life with her family and had just recently began her own business Shear Pawfection Dog Grooming. It was all so fitting as Niamh had always adored animals and it was only right that her career would take her to a place where caring was at the heart of everything she did.

I feel it is important to mention one thing that I haven't experienced with many. That is that our friendship changed and developed in such a natural way. We went from a friendship as kids that was built from randomness, having a carry on and lots of laughter. But with distance between us after leaving school it never got difficult. Before we knew it we could catch up as adults with our own responsibilities, we could vent to each other and support when needed. I knew with Niamh that I could always be honest and that I would never be judged. That to me meant everything. I know I am not alone in this thought and that Niamh's quality and abundance of friends is down to who she was & that she brought out the best in each of her friendships.

My hope is that this fundraiser will bring some comfort towards her family and loved ones. As mentioned above, the plan is to split the money between funeral costs, helping the family with anything childcare related and ensuring Millie has the best childhood and never has to miss out on anything.

Thank you to anyone in advance who donates, shares or even reads this far. Here's to honouring Niamh Walsh and her incredible life.