Fundraiser launched after expectant family lose 'precious' dog in major house fire

A fundraiser has been launched for a Derry family in need after a fire ripped through their home earlier this week, killing their beloved dog.

On 25th September, an electric fire broke out in the McCook family home on Ballymoney, where Stephanie Louise, her husband Brett and their three young sons live.

The fire raged for some time and ripped through most of the family home, causing the family to lose many of their belongings, but also tragically their dog Alfie.

"We are devastated to have lost our home but more importantly our precious Alfie, who we are so thankful didn’t suffer and simply went to sleep," Stephanie Louise said in a heartbreaking update online. "Gosh our precious boy".

Stephanie, who is currently five months pregnant, said she has been "blown away" by the support of the online fundraiser, set up by her sister-in-law Ellen Devenney-Adams.

"I want to ask the community to help this family in their time of need and take some stress away from them and allow them time to grieve their Alfie and support each other in this hard time," the fundraiser reads.

"Funds will be going directly to Stephanie and Brent to help with housing and replacing much needed belongings to furnish a house and baby items".

The fundraiser has raised over £2,000 pounds in just over 24 hours, with all the money going to the young family to help with recovering their home.

"We’ve been trying to find the right words to say for the last 24 hours," Stephanie said.

"All we can say right now is we, as a family, are so overwhelmed by the love, prayers and generosity of not only our family and friends but of complete strangers.
We are blown away by the kindness of this community and the way they have surrounded our little family".

The GoFundMe for the McCook family can be found here - FUNDRAISER.

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