'Unbelievable' response to pyjama appeal in memory of Castledawson girl

The heartbroken mother of a young girl who died earlier this year has donated 2,000 pairs of pyjamas in an effort to bring comfort to children in hospital, hospice and women’s aid refuge.

Stella McGinn, along with her friend Lorraine Mulgrew, owner of Diamond Slice pizza shop in Bellaghy, launched their pyjama appeal earlier this month and were astounded with the response they received.

The friends were inspired to start the appeal following the tragic death of Stella’s daughter Caitlin Rose McMullan in March.

The 11 year-old Castledawson girl (pictured below) was struck by a vehicle moments after she exited her school bus on the Hillhead Road.

She sadly died later in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Just before she passed away, Caitlin Rose’s mum Stella was offered a pair of pyjamas to put on her beloved daughter.  Unfortunately the pyjamas were too small.

“There was only one pair of pyjamas on the ward and I remember they had animals on them and Caitlin Rose loved animals but they were too small.  For me to be able to put pyjamas on her as my last goodbye, it would have been a wee bit different and a comfort.  That’s what prompted me to start the pyjama collection,” explained Stella.

Stella has described the generosity of people who have contributed to the pyjama appeal as ‘unbelievable’.

“We had about 1,000 pairs and then we did the television interview on UTV and before we knew it people were posting the pyjamas from everywhere.  We had ones sent from Australia, Canada, America, the south of Ireland, absolutely everywhere,” Stella continued.

On Wednesday morning, Stella, her son Shea and Lorraine were able to present 2,000 pairs of children’s pyjamas to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, the Children’s Hospice and Women’s Aid.

“One of the nurses in the hospital was saying that everyone that is in the hospital now will get a wee hamper on Christmas day with the pyjamas in them. A few hundred pairs will also be kept up in the ward Caitlin Rose was on so if it ever comes to a situation similar to what we were in they won’t be left the way we were left.  

“Some pyjamas were also donated to the Children’s Hospice and some went to Women’s Aid.  The woman in Women’s Aid was crying when we landed with the pyjamas.  She was so grateful.”

Extending her thanks to all those who contributed to the special collection, Stella said: “Thank you to every single person that took the time to donate. I was proud for Caitlin Rose as this was in her memory but I was also absolutely heartbroken.  I am proud to be able to bring happiness to other kids and also to bring comfort to those families who have to say their final goodbyes.  Caitlin Rose would be proud and happy.”

Looking ahead in 2026 and as Caitlin Rose’s first anniversary approaches, Stella says she will continue to fight for the introduction of new legislation which would prohibit the overtaking of school buses.

“Moving forward in 2026, I am going to continue to push forward for the legislation to protect children getting on and off school buses.  I won’t stop until this legislation is in place.  I’m not going to get my daughter back but I will continue to fight.”