Kevin Lee is among those who died during Super Typhoon Haiyan
The son of a Galway man is among the thousands who died after one of the deadliest typhoons in Philippines history hammered eastern coastal areas and devastated a nation,.
Kevin Lee, from Sydney, who drowned on Saturday 9 November, after Super Typhoon Haiyan swept across 41 provinces in the Philippines, was the son of Matthew Lee, originally from Fairhill, The Claddagh in Galway.
Matthew was educated in the Claddagh School and Ignatius Secondary School. After his Leaving Cert in the early ‘50s he bought a ticket to Australia for £10 and moved to Sydney with his older brother Patrick.
A very religious man, Matthew and his wife Margaret had ten children, including Kevin who was the oldest.
Less than two months ago, Kevin’s wife, Josefina, gave birth to a daughter who the couple named Michelle. In a blog post dated 24 September 2013, Mr Lee wrote about his joy and gratitude for the birth of his baby.
He wrote; “I am watching you Michelle and I never want to feel regret that I did not love you enough. I want [you] to know that whatever happens, I am grateful to God and Josefina for giving me the best treasure in my life.
“I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know how long I have with you. But I will pray every day a grateful Eucharist that you are my daughter, my connection with eternity and the visible proof that I have been in this world.”
Mr Lee drowned on Saturday when he went out into the typhoon for his daily swim.
His uncle, Eamonn Lee, who currently lives in Galway, has said that his death is “very hard on the family – and it’s a big family”.
Super-typhoon Haiyan has affected nearly 10 million people in 41 provinces across the Philippines, and families all around the world.
International relief efforts have begun and small communities such as the Galway Filipino Irish Community (GFIC) are doing what they can to assist those who are suffering.
“It has a big impact [on us] because we come from a background of close family ties,” said Vincent Galeon, President of the Galway Filipino Irish Community.
According to Mr Galeon, the majority of Filipinos living in Galway have immediate family or spouses in the Philippines and as the death toll climbs, the GFIC are looking out for those families.
“To date we have counted four or five members’ [of the GFIC] friends whose houses have been flattened. But their families are alive and safe and secure,” Mr Galeon explained.
“So far we haven’t heard of any casualties but some of our members haven’t gotten in touch with their own families yet so we’re afraid to hear of any bad news.”
In an effort to provide relief to the victims of typhoon Haiyan, the GFIC is setting up fundraisers and helping out in whatever way they can.
Coffee mornings will be held on Sunday 17 November from 10am to 2pm in Abbey Hall, Newtownsmith; Friday 22 November from 10am to 12pm in the Menlo Park Hotel; Sunday 24 November from 10am to 12pm in the Ardilaun House Hotel.
Clothes and other relief items will also be collected at the venues but Mr Galeon has advised that it would take some time before the items reach the Philippines and that cash donations are preferable.
All money raised by the Galway Filipino Irish Community will be administered by a reputable Philippines-based charity.
“Obviously the easiest way to provide help is cash donations. We’re using our own community bank account and posting this appeal on Facebook should anyone wish to help,” said Mr Galeon.
“We’re doing some bucket collections as well. We have asked volunteers to do some rounds to every member’s house and do a bucket collection.
“We’re thinking of doing a collection on Shop Street. We have launched an application for a garda permit. At this stage it’s unprocessed but we hope to have a day someday next week,” he added.To find out how you can help, contact Vincent Galeon on 086 807 2338, Robin Almasor on 086 063 9943, Cllr Frank Fahy on 087 234 5852, or email gfic.04@gmail.com.
