Hundreds respond to birthday card plea for Derry twins

Adam and Aoife Burke will turn four years old next Sunday, June 28.

While they are very excited about the day and their ‘big party,’ they will be very much missing their daddy, Thomas on their first birthday spent without him.

Their mammy, Bronagh, recently asked the community if they would help put a smile on the twins’ faces by sending them birthday cards for next Sunday.

The initial target was 100 but the response has been phenomenal and to date, over 1,100 cards, as well as presents have been sent by people all around Ireland and even as far away as The Bronx in New York.

Bronagh told the Journal that while the pain of losing Thomas, who she affectionately calls ‘Burkey’ is ‘there 24/7 and does not go away,’ the birthday cards and people’s generosity have already given them a focus as they navigate through their grief.

“Every day is a battle for Adam and Aoife- between the trauma they have endured and missing their daddy. They haven’t been doing great and Adam isn’t sleeping all that well, but just having the cards and presents and seeing people’s generosity has given them a wee focus and made them excited about opening them. They’ve been through so, so much and really deserve this. They saw some of the cards and presents for the first time last weekend and were just buzzing.”

Bronagh told how people and businesses have also come forward to provide items for the party.

“The people of Derry have this party sorted for me. We could never repay people’s generosity.”

The plea for cards has been widely shared on social media, including by Erin and James McClean, who Bronagh said has been a huge support. Bronagh and Thomas have known the couple for many years. Thomas died five years after Bronagh’s own father, who also died from a heart attack. “I know the pain I suffered at 24, I can’t imagine losing my daddy at three years old,” she said. She added while the pain can be overwhelming, they are so grateful for the love and support they have been shown.

“It’s a focus for me as well. I can struggle and go on, as long as I know that my two babies are ok. The cards are the smallest gesture, but mean so much. People have been so kind.” You can send a card to Adam and Aoife at 24 Gelvin Gardens, Trench Road, Waterside, Derry, BT47 2DQ