Helen Fennell's parents adamant she won't have died in vain

18-year-old Helen Fennell was given another chance at life when she received a heart transplant and months later was hanging out with Graham Norton in London. But, it wasn’t to be and her heartbroken parents are adamant that she won’t have died in vain, says Ailín Quinlan

IN JUST over six months teenager Helen Fennell had a heart transplant, hosted a mammoth 18th birthday party, passed her driving test, ran the Cork City Marathon and had dinner with Graham Norton. It was typical of a girl who tore through life enjoying every second — a girl who, incidentally, had been given the last rites the day she was born.

An enthusiastic footballer, hockey and tennis player, Fennell was also a marvelous cook — particularly of amazingly gooey chocolate desserts. She was highly sociable, academically hardworking and ambitious, planning to study Law and German in Trinity College.