Hello, my name is Shauna, and I’m starting this fundraiser for my wonderful mam — completely behind her back (so shhh!).

Recently, because of the cold weather, she decided to get new tiles put on her roof. What was meant to be a small job costing around €1,000 quickly turned into a nightmare. When the company began removing the old tiles, they discovered that the protective layer underneath had been damaged due to poor workmanship done long before she owned the home.

Now, what should have been a simple repair has become a massive and urgent project costing over €16,000. Her bank, who she’s been loyal to for years, refused to give her a loan because she’s currently on an invalidity payment after a car accident, and her house insurance won’t cover the damage. She’s used up all her savings, but it’s still nowhere near enough to get the roof finished.

My mam is one of the most loving, selfless women you could ever meet — the type who would give her last euro to someone in need without a second thought. She’s spent her whole life looking out for everyone else, and now it’s our turn to look out for her.

We’re hoping to raise enough to ease the pressure and help get her home warm and watertight again before winter fully sets in. Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world.

Thank you so much for reading and for any kindness you can offer.