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Family, friends and well-wishers gathered in the Killarney Avenue Hotel recently for a coffee morning in memory of the late John Broderick. Popular Killarney man John, who tragically took his own life earlier this year, was fondly remembered at the event while much-needed funds were also raised for suicide prevention charity Pieta House.

Over €10,300 was raised at the coffee morning and a further €7,000 was collected at a similar event at Fexco in Killorglin, the workplace of John’s wife, Sandra. When online donations and cheques are taken into account, a phenomenal €32,600 has been raised for John’s Pieta House tribute page in just seven weeks.

Saturday’s gathering was made all the more poignant by the fact that John and Sandra celebrated their wedding at the same venue just six short years ago.

“Although it was difficult and upsetting for us remembering such happy times in that room just a short time previous, we also knew that what we were doing would help others who suffer with hopelessness and depression,” Sandra said.

“My husband John was an amazing person who did so much for charity. He was a kind, caring person who always put everyone else before himself. He was a fantastic husband and a proud father to our beautiful little girl Grace and I know he would so happy seeing what we have done to help others who struggle like he did.”

Sandra also expressed her family’s gratitude to everyone who helped make the morning so special.

“Me, Grace and John's family would like to thank the management and staff of the Killarney Avenue Hotel for their generosity and help setting up this event,” she said. “We would also like to thank Fexco for being such great work colleagues and friends who supported us the whole way through the organising and planning, the businesses in Killarney, Killorglin, Tralee, Castleisland and further afield who very kindly donated beautiful spot prizes, family and friends who went to the trouble of organising huge amounts of home baking, our entertainment and guest appearances who gave their time on the morning and close friends who helped out in every way possible to make the whole event the success it was.

“John’s work friends also showed huge support before and during the event and it meant a lot to us to see them all there on the morning, and to hear about their happy memories of John which they now cherish.”

Visit fundraise.pieta.ie/fundraiser/sandrabroderick to make a donation.

Pic: Sally MacMonagle.