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06 Sept 2025

'Unimaginable pain and loss' - Over €25,000 raised for teenagers who died in Lough Swilly tragedy

Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda tragically passed away after getting into difficulty while swimming in Lough Swilly in Buncrana on Saturday

'Unimaginable pain and loss' - Over €25,000 raised for teenagers who died in Lough Swilly tragedy

Matt Sibanda (left) and Emmanuel Familola (right)

A GoFundMe page has been created to help the families of the young teenagers Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda who tragically died over the weekend in Buncrana, County Donegal after getting into difficulty while swimming in Lough Swilly.

Within just one day of being established, the page has managed to raise over €25,000 and surpass the original target of just €10,000 in a wonderful display of support from the local and wider community.

The fundraiser was created by the registered charity Insight Inishowen and it aims to help both of the boys' families cover their funeral costs.

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According to the GoFundMe page: "As one of the member groups of The Exchange Community Centre, on behalf of the whole Buncrana Community that has been devastated by Saturday's tragic loss of two beautiful teenagers, Insight Inishowen is raising funds to help cover the funeral costs for their devastated families.

"Having the privilege to know the boys and the families we are heartbroken by their loss and want to do everything to help ease the financial burden at a time of such unimaginable pain and loss.

"Please join us in supporting them in their darkest hour. As a registered charity, Insight Inishowen will ensure that every penny raised will be divided equally between the two grieving families."

Well over 800 people have so far donated to the fundraiser. You can check out the link to the GoFundMe here.

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