Fundraiser set up for Donegal pensioner who ended up in ICU and lost home in fire

A fundraiser has been set up to help a west Donegal pensioner who ended up in intensive care as her home was destroyed in a fire last week.

Kathleen Barrett, who is 71, was taken to ICU at Letterkenny University Hospital following the fire on Thursday night last at her home on Ballyconnell Road in Falcarragh.

Almost all of her belongings were destroyed in a fire. A GoFundMe - House Fire Devastation (Kathleen Barrett) -
has been set up with over €13,000 already raised and you can donate here

Kathleen has since been taken out of ICU, where she was treated for inhalation difficulties and minor burns following the fire. It is hoped Kathleen will be discharged this week.

“Hi everyone I'm fundraising for our aunt and friend that sadly lost her home after a fire tore through it on Thursday night the 23rd of January,” the GoFundMe organiser Maeve Barrett posted.

“Kathleen is currently in ICU in Letterkenny General Hospital, she is doing well and due to be released soon but has nowhere to go. Kathleen has limited mobility when it comes to stairs therefore limiting where she can go, she is a breast cancer survivor and her health wouldn't be the best.

“She has been left with absolutely nothing not even a pair of socks. It either burned in the fire or is so badly smoke damaged, it’s unsalvageable. Kathleen would and has done anything for anyone and it's just so sad after not long after losing her husband to cancer to be left with no home that she shared for most of her life with her husband and little dog Collie (who thankfully was saved by the fantastic fire services and is being looked after by a niece) so we are reaching out to the public for any small donation that will help to get her back on her feet and hopefully into "her own little corner" in the near future.
Thank you xx”.

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Pearse Doherty TD has also rowed in behind the fundraiser. He posted: “One of our neighbours here in West Donegal had a lucky escape during the storm, Kathleen is currently in ICU but is doing well. Her home and her belongings are destroyed. Friends are organising a wee fundraiser to get her some essentials and back on her feet. If you can, please support.”