Family, friends and community have been rallying to raise funds and support a young mum of three children who had just received a life-changing diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND).
A fundraiser started only two days ago, has smashed the initial target of £3,000, and currently has reached almost £15,000 to date.
Sinéad Gamble (née Lindsay) from Ballymena, is married to Stanley, and they have three beautiful children - Francis (5), Eilionóir (3), and baby Art, aged only six weeks old.
Sinéad received the devastating news this week.
A rare disease, MND is a very rare fast progressing disease that progressively damages parts of the nervous system. This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible effects.
In the body, motor neurones control important muscle activity, such as gripping, walking, speaking, swallowing, and even breathing. As the condition progresses, people with motor neurone disease will find some or all of these activities increasingly difficult. Eventually, they may become impossible.
Sinéad’s cousin, Jayne Lindsay, who launched the online fundraiser, says the diagnosis “means that Sinead’s days with her children are limited but will be filled with so much love.”
Her family describe her as “humble and extremely hard working, and a person who would go above and beyond for anyone.”
Sinéad is the oldest of 13 children and very well known in and around Ballymena, having worked for over 20 years in the Grouse where she was loved and cherished by many of the regulars there. More recently she worked at Follow Coffee in the town, and the team at Follow continue to be a great support to her.
Commenting on her loved cousin, Jayne said:
“As always Sinéad has kept her sense of fun and humour and is planning an early 40th Birthday celebration, with hopes to wear her highest heels with a glass of her favourite, Cava.
“Her giving spirit never faltering, she expressed wishes to become an organ donor if possible.
“We, her family, want to support her wishes and ensure her memory lives on for her three beautiful children.
“We would love to create beautiful personalised memory cases filled with photos, letters and gifts for future milestone birthdays so the kids will always know what an amazing Mum they have who would so love to share these moments with them.
“If it is possible too we would love to be able to organise one short family trip with the kids and her devoted husband Stanley to help create a lifetime of memories. It is Sinead's wish that if there's extra too, a donation for research into motor neurone disease will be made.
“Please donate if you can, we don't have the words to describe what it means and please share with friends and family.”
You can make a safe and secure donation online, via the family’s Gofundme page, found at: