Local couple’s kindness despite battling illness

Ivan Gillespie made a donation to Christian Aid Ireland following his and his wife’s recovery from the two feared illnesses.

Lily Gillespie is making a good recovery after testing positive for coronavirus in April.

Meanwhile her husband Ivan has had the all-clear following surgery and treatment for a neck tumour.

The couple, pictured celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in September 2018, are the proud parents of four children and nine grandchildren.

The pair are members of All Saints Clooney Church of Ireland in the Waterside.

Ivan explained why he made the donation:

“We have supported Christian Aid all our lives. Lily and I are very blessed to have our children and grandchildren, and to have recovered from cancer and coronavirus.

“I fear for the people in poor countries who don’t have good hospitals, welfare benefits or furlough schemes.”

Sadly, Lily has dementia and lives in a care home but Ivan has been visiting her three times a week and during the lockdown they have been able to chat through a window.

Christian Aid Ireland Chief Executive Rosamond Bennett praised the couple for their generosity despite what they have been through

“Ivan and Lily have made a donation to help the world’s poorest people at a time when they could be forgiven for thinking only of themselves.

“They are typical of thousands of other Christian Aid supporters - giving generously to improve the lives of people living in poverty, despite enduring difficulties in their own lives,” Rosamond Bennett added.