HE was her best friend and on Wednesday eight year old Emily Magee paid tribute to her little brother Thomas at an emotionally charged event at Maguiresbridge Primary School.
  The four year old, described as a “beautiful wee boy” by his mother Jaqueline, died in an accident in April. 
Emily held an event in his memory which was attended by over 400 people and raised £4,500 for charity.
The school girl wanted the event to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation, which arranges experiences described as wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions. 
 “Thomas’ wish came true every day when he got out to the farm. Let’s make another sick little boy or girl’s wish come true,” his sister Emily said.

Impartial Reporter:

Honor Irvine, (left), principal of Maguiresbridge Primary School with Jack McCourt, grandfather of the late Thomas Magee and Willene Hadden, teacher, during the coffee morning.

Heartbroken mum tells of reading stories at graveside of adored son

Thomas' grieving mother has told how she visits his graveside every day just so she can read him some of his favourite stories.
Jacqueline, her husband David and daughters Emily and Lucianna planted a tree in memory of Thomas at Maguiresbridge Primary School where he was a pupil. 
“There have been many, many dark days since Thomas’ death,” Mrs. Magee told The Impartial Reporter. She says her heart aches now as much as it did 12 weeks ago.
“There is such a big hole in our hearts and while David and I struggle to get up in the morning Emily is organising something on this scale, she amazes us,” she said.
“Thomas was her best friend as well as her brother and she is lost without him,” said Mrs. Magee.

Impartial Reporter:

Thomas Magee.

The school girl wanted the event to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation, which arranges experiences described as wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions. 
Over 200 people arrived for the coffee morning, which received little publicity, within the first 15 minutes. It was another sign of a community determined to rally around the family.
Sitting over cups of tea and coffee and buns, people reflected on the happy little boy in the blue uniform who brightened up the classrooms and the corridors around them. 

Impartial Reporter:

Farrah Patterson enjoying some refreshment during the coffee morning in Maguiresbridge Primary School.

“The number of people praying and thinking of us, the amount of people here today, it has impressed us,” said Mrs. Magee.
“One stranger came to our house weeks after Thomas was buried. She drove until she found the house. She said to us: ‘Your little boy has touched more hearts in four years than any of us will touch in a lifetime.’
“I think that when you see the number of people who travelled from Belfast and Armagh to attend this event that’s a testament to our beautiful wee boy,” she said, as tears ran down her face. 
“I want to say a huge thank you to Mrs. Irvine, the staff and parents for helping with this event.”
Mrs. Magee now reads her son’s favourite books by his graveside, eager to show him as much love in death as she and the rest of his family did in life.
“I haven’t missed a day because I can’t bear not seeing him even though it is a grave. I bring him books and read him stories all about the farm. 
“Where he’s buried is overlooking farms and we tell him that so and so is at grass and there are cows out. It’s a perfect spot for Thomas,” she said. 

Impartial Reporter:

Thomas Magee.

As of yesterday afternoon, £4,500 had been raised from the coffee morning with more donations expected. “I am really proud and so happy,” Emily told this newspaper.  And when the little girl thanked all those who had turned up there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“Thomas’ wish came true every day when he got out to the farm, let’s make another sick little boy or girl’s wish come true,” she said. 
Afterwards, the family gathered outside the school to plant a cherry blossom tree, purchased by the departing P7 pupils, in memory of Thomas. 
The double pink flowered cherry, a symbol of new life and growth, will ensure the memory of Thomas Magee lives on forever.