A FUNDRAISING campaign has been set up in aid of the family of a much-loved figure in Limerick sport.
The late James (Barnes) Flanagan who was well known in local sporting circles, most notably for his involvement with Fairview football club, died suddenly at his home in Castletroy on February 15, leaving behind his partner Fiona and young son Jack.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up in his memory to raise funds towards funeral costs and to support Fiona and Jack in their loss.
The fundraiser is organised by James’ friends Mike Aherne, Paul Finucane, Frank Browne, Jonathan Heffernan, Alan O’Donnell, Danny Moore and Eoin O’Hagan who said they wanted to help the family.
Mike Aherne said that he and fellow organisers “were close friends of James and we wanted to support Fiona and new born baby Jack now and into the future.”
“We met so many people over the last week that wanted to help in some way so setting up the page made sense and people could support James’s family that way,” he explained.
The group say that they “are still numb with the shock of James passing, his untimely death coinciding with was supposed to be the start of fatherhood and a special life with Fiona.”
Within one day of the funding page going live, over €13.500 was raised and by yesterday evening almost €24,000 of its €25,000 target had been reached.
The group said that Mr Flanagan’s “funeral brought Limerick City to a standstill such was his popularity, through work, sport or indeed life James endeared himself to anybody lucky enough to cross path with him.”
Anyone who wishes to donate to the fund in aid of James’ family can do so here
