The Spirit of Christmas – Heartbreaking Tale Spurs Amazing Act of Kindness for One Irish Family

Christmas is a time for family and friends, sharing old memories, whilst making new ones, and of course spreading Christmas cheer and goodwill. However sadly for some, the holiday only adds an extra burden on shoulders that already find it difficult to cope.

Sian and Eric met 14-years-ago while working for Dell and together they have two boys aged 7 and 9. In May 2012, Eric was diagnosed with leukaemia and after a bone marrow transplant things were going well.

During the summer Eric received the news that the aggressive Leukaemia had returned. He underwent a heavy dose of chemotherapy and a second transplant which left him very ill.  The father-of-two then developed an infection that many transplant patients suffer from after the operation and unfortunately the condition was in his liver.

In an interview with RTÉ 2fm, Sian explained that the medical professionals at the St. James’ Hospital in Dublin, where her husband is being cared for, can only now treat the symptoms of his condition.

She explained that her husband hadn’t been able to talk to their sons in the last month because he’s too weak and visits from children were forbidden.

“Hour-by-hour his condition changes,” she told Tubridy with her voice shaking.

Sian, born in Wales and brought up in South Africa, also revealed that recently Eric’s mother was too diagnosed with cancer and his family had so much on their plate to deal with over the festive season.

She emphasised to the presenter that she was not looking for a freebie or hand-out, but just a recommendation of where she could stay over the Christmas period to ease the pressure. After the interview, she thanked Ryan for taking the time out to talk to her and he promised that he would do his best to sort it out, even it meant doing it himself.

Forward on 24-hours and Sian was back on the air with Tubridy and the team.

She told him of the overwhelming generosity she had received from neighbours, friends and old colleagues who sent messages and called after hearing her on air on Thursday morning.

Sian’s story touched the nation and 2fm were inundated with offers from all around the country.

Ryan read out some of the messages his team had received in the aftermath of the Limerick family’s story being shared live on air.

One message read: “I’m going to Galway with my kids and house will be empty and she’s welcome to stay at home in Naas.”

Another message read: “I live in Blackrock with two spare rooms  and we would transport her back and forth to St. James’ hospital, it would make my Christmas to have her and her children. Any time she needs accommodation these rooms are here for her.”

Another expressed how the story reminded them of what Christmas was actually about: “All our hearts go out to that brave lovely mother and wife, I’m sitting in my car crying my eyes out, the sadness of her story but also reminded me of how great humanity can be, this is what Christmas should be about.”

Sian who remained gracious and grateful of the support told Ryan, “I’m not alone there’s so many other people in this situation, it’s just you don’t know where to start.”

It was then that Tubridy introduced, Tom Moran, and the spirit of Christmas was encapsulated.

The managing director of Bewley's and Moran Hotel Group, got in touch with 2FM after hearing the story unfold.

Tom, who was in the middle of a board meeting, explained that his wife phoned him in panic and asked her husband to listen in to the show, in fact everybody at the meeting listened to Sian’s heartbreaking story.

“We thought we’d have the solution” Tom said, “we stay open all over Christmas.”

“We can take the kids there while she goes and visits her husband in hospital.”

Tom offered Sian and the kids a stay in Bewleys of Ballsbridge over the festive season, adding:

“She can stay as long as she wants, we’ll transport her to and from St. James’ hospital.”

A Limerick man himself, who lost two brothers at a young age, Tom assured Sian she’ll feel at home.

“You don’t have to restrict it to three days,” he said and extended his gesture outside of the Christmas period.

Tom even contacted the RDS Winter Wonderland’s Don Bird who said, “he’d be delighted to give the kids VIP treatment.”

Sian, along with the entire country, was left speechless.

“There’s always a Clarence, there’s always an angel out there and Tom is fitting the bill,” Ryan said.

Tubridy himself also contacted Ken Black from Smyths Toys who was more than happy to leave a few present for Sian’s young sons on Christmas Eve, however Tom assured the mother that Santa also visits Bewley's Hotel.

We know the term, “proud to be Irish” is a little cliché, but it encompasses just how we were feeling after hearing this poignant and extremely emotional tale on 2FM.

Our Santa hats are off to all involved at the Tubridy show, Ryan himself for being so compassionate on air, and to Tom and his wife for being genuine sweethearts.

To the brave and wonderful mother, Sian, her husband Eric and two sons, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Thursday's interview can be listened to here.  Friday's heartwarming twist can be heard here.