FOUR kids have been orphaned after their mum died on New Year’s Eve a few months following the death of their dad from cancer.

       Dad Darren O’Neill, 45, lost his battle with liver cancer in May 2021 while mum Helen, 40, died suddenly at the end of last year.

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       Family friend Jonathan Agnew set up the fundraiser Credit: Go Fund Me

       The deaths have left Erin, 19, Darren, 15, Riley, 10 and Robbie, seven, without either parent in the space of less than a year.

       Family friend Jonathan Agnew, from Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, has launched a fundraising appeal to ensure the children have "at least one positive thing happen".

       Jonathan said: "I just want to Erin, Darren, Riley and Robbie to have at least one positive thing happen.

       "Any funds raised will go to help the family with the cost of every day things such as food, clothes, gas and electric. If enough is raised hopefully we can get the kids a day out somewhere.

       "I do understand how hard things are for everyone at the minute and Christmas just past but any donation will be greatly appreciated and will hopefully go some way towards adding a little happiness to a grieving family."

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       Over ￡11,000 has already been raised in donations to the family.

       Speaking to Belfast Live, friend Jonathan said Darren and Helen's children are "devastated" and a "terrible mess".

       He said: "The couple leave behind their four devastated children and a terrible mess. We have been trying to arrange to have the children looked after, which has now been sorted.

       "Darren's stepdaughter Erin has been left to look after them along her with dad, Ciaran who has moved into the family home to help her with the three boys."

       He added: "I just want Erin and Ciaran to be able to focus on the kids without having any financial worries because they are the priority now. If that financial burden was taken away from them for a while they could get a lot done."

       'FANTASTIC' SUPPORT

       And many paid tribute to the tragic circumstances facing the four children on the Go Fund Me page.

       Elaine said: "Its hard loosing a patent, but 2 in 7 months is devastating."

       And Jo said: "Sending much love".

       Jonathan added the response to the page has been "fantastic" and thanked to everyone who has donated.

       The Help the O'Neill family Go Fund Me page can be found here.

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       Dad Darren died in May while mum Helen passed away on New Year's Eve Credit: Facebook