'The whole community has rallied behind me' says Tipperary woman
Valerie Compton and her family would like to thank the local community for all their help after their home went on fire a few weeks ago
When Valerie Compton awoke to find her home was on fire just a few weeks ago, she saw her whole world crumble before her. She described the experience of watching their family home burn down that evening: “There is no worse feeling in this world. Standing outside our home where we have built so many precious memories, I brought my kids home from the hospital to this house. They lost their first teeth in this house. They celebrated birthdays and Christmases, sad times and happy times, in this house. Then all of a sudden for us to stand outside as a family and watch it all burn, that was really really hard.” But there was a light at the end of the darkness for Valerie and her family as she described the extreme generosity she has experienced from the community in Tipperary since the accident.
“I’d like to thank everyone that’s helped us and to thank my neighbour Kayleigh Keane for setting up the GoFundMe. I’d also like to thank her for being so supportive of myself and helping us out. She even did our washing for us, she's been fantastic. I’d also like to thank MJ Buckley and his partner Llauma, who owns the Junction in Tipperary. They put myself and my children up in their B&B for eight nights. They were so welcoming and I couldn’t thank them enough, they never asked for a penny or never spoke of any payment they just offered to house us and they kept checking up on us asking if we needed anything. They asked if we needed drinks, food, blankets and were we warm enough.
"We’re now staying in a holiday home in Dundrum, the owners of the hotel reached out to us and offered us to stay there while we plan to rebuild our home back to normal. The manager there, Margarete Webster, was extremely welcoming to us when we got there and we were delighted that the owners offered out a hand to help."
Valerie said that when they arrived in Dundrum the beds were made, there was hot water and heating. There’s enough space for myself and my family in there and we couldn’t thank them enough. They were so welcoming, they didn’t even expect money there and then, they just offered me what they were going to charge me. Valerie says it was a huge relief to have somewhere they can call home temporarily while they wait for insurance to be sorted out after the accident.
Valerie really can feel the Christmas spirit in Tipperary Town as she feels the whole town has rallied behind her and supported her after her home burnt down a few weeks ago. Valerie said “Even in my own job, it’s been a very busy time of the year and my store manager Caroline has been fantastic. She’s given me time off from my job in the Card Factory in Tipp Town. I’m so thankful for the support I’ve received from the community.”
The Compton family cannot express enough how life has changed drastically for them in the past few weeks. Speaking with Valerie, she again would like to thank the kindness of strangers, her mother Monica Compton, the community and businesses in Tipperary who have helped them out in their time of need. “The kindness and generosity of businesses to help us out, MJ Buckley who owns the Junction, the owners of Dundrum House Hotel who have helped us find somewhere to stay and everyone who has reached out to me.
"Their kindness and generosity has given me so much hope that I didn’t have a few weeks ago. I now think we’ll be able to rebuild our lives and be stronger after this.
“I wanted to come out and say something positive about the situation and the community. Everyone has supported us and rallied around us and it’s given me a little bit of hope and confidence. The community has also given me a small bit of comfort, knowing that with their support we’ll get there and get through this as a family."
Valerie is looking forward to turning the chapter in the new year and starting fresh with her family. “I was at my lowest a few weeks ago watching my house burn, but now I can see the light and I’m back up there. The future is looking good for all of us now.
"We have a tradition where we set off fireworks in that house at new years, it’s beautiful and we’ve always done it. This year will be no different. We'll get together as a family and carry on that tradition and celebrate rebuilding our home in Rossmore Village. We’ve always been there and we’ll always be there.”