The family of a young Co Armagh schoolboy has called for all the support they can get as their son prepares to undergo surgery on a brain tumour on Friday morning.
Padraíg Rafferty, who is a Primary 5 pupil at St. Joseph and St. James’s School in Poyntzpass, was recently diagnosed with a devastating brain tumour.
His school have asked for the community to keep “wonderful” Padraíg in their prayers as he is set to have surgery on the tumour at the Royal Hospital at 8.30am on Friday.
They added: “We pray that all will go well during the long operation and that Padraíg will have a speedy and strong recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Padraíg and the Rafferty family during this difficult time. God Bless. St. Joseph and St. James’s Staff.”
His local GAA club, Redmond O’Hanlon’s, has also called for support.
A spokesperson for the club wrote: “Can we ask you all to remember our underage player Padraíg Rafferty in your prayers in the days ahead. Padraíg has devastatingly been diagnosed with a brain tumour, and will undergo surgery at The Royal, in Belfast in the next few days.
“Padraíg’s parents, John & Lorraine, and his sisters Grace & Níamh, have asked for and need all the support and love that our community can offer at this awful time.”
Dad John, who runs Tullynacross Farm, asked all its followers to “pray for my wee man who will going in for a big operation in the morning and will last for most of the day. Thank you.”
Hundreds of messages of support have been pouring in for the youngster, with the community rallying behind the family in their time of need.
And everyone at Armagh I wishes Padraíg well for tomorrow and the days and weeks ahead as he makes his recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family.