Four children left orphaned after losing both parents just months apart

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Four devastated children have been left orphaned after losing both their parents just months apart. Darren and Helen O'Neill died within seven months of each other, leaving their children Erin, 19, Darren, 15, Riley, 10, Robbie, seven, orphaned.The family lost dad Darren, 45, last May after a brave battle with liver cancer.But the children were dealt a fresh blow when their grief-stricken mum Helen, 40, died suddenly on New Year's Eve - leaving the four children without parents in a matter of months.

Now Darren's best friend, Jonathan Agnew has launched a fundraising appeal on GoFundMe to ensure the children have "at least one positive thing happen", BelfastLive reports.Jonathan said: "I was Darren's best mate for nearly 30 years.

Three years ago he was given between three and six months to live. He fought on for a year before his death on May 11, 2021."Darren was always a big outgoing fella but he went blind at the end and couldn't walk so it was a rough time."He accepted his illness and realised that nothing could be done so he just got on with it."He added: "Unfortunately his wife Helen never recovered and she died on December 31."Jonathan said his friend was full of life, and the lost of both their mum and dad has left their children 'devastated'.He added: "The couple leave behind their four devastated children and a terrible mess.

We have been trying to arrange to have the children looked after, which has now been sorted."Darren's stepdaughter Erin has been left to look after them along her with dad, Ciaran who has moved into the family home to help her with the three boys."Riley and Robbie also have learning difficulties so they don't fully understand what has happened."Jonathan set up his fundraiser last week and