Daughter’s love for mum shines as cherry blossom tree iCare Wish comes true
By Eleanor McGillie
A MOTHER of four who is suffering from cancer is overjoyed as an iCare Wish nomination by her daughter has resulted in two cherry blossom trees being planted in her garden.
Laura Begley from Dungannon nominated her mum Patricia, 60, to receive cherry blossom trees for her garden in the latest round of wishes which are granted quarterly by the iCare charity.
iCare, which was set up within Homecare Independent Living, empowers communities to create a better world through acts of kindness. The charity asks the public each quarter to nominate someone who they feel warrants a wish being granted.
Laura, who has three sisters, wrote a heartfelt nomination describing her mum as “a wonderful woman” and highlighted that her mum never had a garden until she and her dad Donagh moved from living all their married life on a main street in Dungannon to their current home in Ardbeg.
Laura said: “Mum has a saying – the best things in life are free. By this she means being alive, having good health, laughter, experiencing simple pleasures such as the sun on your face and being able to enjoy watching the birds and trees in the garden. ”
In her nomination, Laura explained that mum Patricia has always admired cherry blossom trees.
She said: “Mum was diagnosed with a very serious and aggressive form of cancer in November 2013. It was the saddest day of our lives. Our family is heartbroken. I just wanted to do something that would give her hope, reflecting both growth and stillness and symbolise the ever changing life cycles in the seasons.”
Laura, 39, who works as a psychiatric care worker, said she decided to nominate her mum for an iCare Wish so her mum can experience the joy of watching her trees bloom in season.
She added: “I would love to see mum fight this cancer and with God’s will and medical intervention, live long enough to see, among many other things, her own cherry blossom bloom next year and for many years to come.”
Janine Smalls, an iCare Committee member, said many of the nominations received are heartbreaking to read.
She said: “iCare is delighted to be able to do this for Mrs Begley. We are delighted Laura sent in her nomination. Her love for her mum shines through and we hope, for many years to come, Mrs Begley will be able to enjoy watching her trees blossom.”
Anyone wishing to make a nomination can do so by writing to The iCare Committee, Milford Gatelodge, Milford, Armagh, Northern Ireland BT60 3NZ. The next round of nominations open on July 1 and will close on October 31.
ENDS:
Notes To Editor:
- Homecare Independent Living is a national leader in homecare provision offering services to clients enabling them to live independently. Services include domiciliary care, peripatetic and floating support services, nursing and continuing care services and housing services. Homecare Independent Living employs 1,200 people and has offices in Armagh, Belfast, Magherafelt, Ballymena, Sligo, Dundalk and Dublin.
- iCare was set up in 2010 and is run by members of the Homecare Independent Living team.
- For media enquiries contact Eleanor McGillie of MGMPR on 028 3756 9569 | 07709805379 | www.mgmpr.co.uk | Healthcare PR Northern Ireland | Public Relations Northern Ireland | Public Relations UK | Brand Journalism Experts | Brand Journalism Northern Ireland | Brand Journalism UK
