A HEARTBROKEN family, a grief-stricken community and a numbed school will pay their final respects to Callum Friel this morning.
The 17-year-old, late of Birchill, Creeslough, lost his battle with Leukaemia on Friday afternoon.
Callum, who was a fifth year student at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, died at St James’ Hospital in Dublin, where he had been undergoing treatment.
Since September 2018, Callum had been fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and was recently referred for a bone marrow transplant after suffering a relapse in 2019.
An arduous battle included regular bouts of chemotherapy, monthly lumbar punctures and several blood transfusions.
A talented sportsman, prior to his diagnosis, Callum had played for St Michael’s and Dunfanaghy Youths, while he represented his school, St Eunan’s College and the Donegal Schoolboys League.
On Saturday morning, a prayer service was held in the chapel at St Eunan’s College, while a book of condolences was opened in the school.
St Eunan’s College Principal paid tribute to Callum in a statement in which he said the news had been met with ‘great sadness’.
Callum is survived by his parents, Manus and Yvonne, brother Ruairi and sister Cassie.
Callum’s Funeral Mass takes place this morning St Michael’s Church, Creeslough on Monday at 11am followed by burial in Doe cemetery.
