PIC: Meet the generous boy who gave a huge donation to a West Cork charity

This West Cork boy is a huge source of pride for his parents and teachers today.

Yesterday we wrote about Donal O'Donovan's huge donation to Clonakilty-based charity just-one, which helps disadvantaged children in Nepal.

Donal gave the charity €100 from his Communion money, or 10,000 Nepali Rupees - a massive chunk of his life savings.

He even wrote a lovely note to the charity founder Declan Murphy, who had visited his school and inspired the schoolboy to help in the best way he could.

READ MORE: West Cork charity thank child for generous donation and adorable letter

We issued an appeal to help the charity track down Donal to thank him for his kindness, and the response was overwhelming.

Donal's parents, Diarmuid and Eithne O'Donovan, were contacted by the Glandore National School principal, Norma Whelton, after she recognised his name and the charity in our article.

The school regularly invites Declan Murphy to speak about his work in Nepal, and those visits clearly made an impression on young Donal.

Donal O'Donovan pictured with his brother Fachtna 

Donal's mother, Eithne, told the Irish Examiner they are very proud of their son and has explained why Donal chose to send such a huge amount of money to the Nepal charity.

"We're all really surprised here by the amount of interest," she says. "Donal heard about the charity when Declan Murphy visited his school last year and made a huge impression on him.

"Donal was really worried about all the children in the just-one centre when the earthquake hit this year. When his First Holy Communion came up I suggested that he should give some money to a charity and made a few suggestions in case he needed any help but he immediately told me that just-one is now his charity."

The attention Donal's kindness has received has been a lovely surprise for his family.

"We didn't actually drop the money into the charity until this week and we are surprised and delighted by all the attention this has received."

Declan Murphy, from Donal's favourite charity, has spoken to the Irish Examiner from Kathmandu about the overwhelming response they have received following Donal's incredible generosity.

After sharing Donal's letter on their Facebook page, Declan says it has become their most-viewed post ever.

"It highlights the heart-warming generosity of children back in West Cork whose schools I visit each autumn to share about the organisation's ongoing work here in Nepal helping poor children access educational opportunities they'd otherwise be denied," says Declan.

Some of the children supported at the just-one centre in Nepal

"Donal's not the first to cause a lump-in-the-throat moment and here's hoping he won't be the last," he says.

Declan says other West Cork children like Donal have gone above and beyond to support the charity after he had visited their schools.

"A similarly aged Sean Murphy from Ardfield National School made, printed and sold a newsletter raising over €60 which he then kindly donated to just-one, along with yet another beautiful letter that helps make what can often be dark and depressing days seem all the more worthwhile," he says.

Donal's principal has expressed her delight that her "very kind, caring and thoughtful pupil" is being recognised for his consideration.

"Our school motto is 'To Make a Difference' and I think that Donal has embraced that wonderfully," Norma says regaring the donation. "All his teachers are so proud of Donal.

"Declan, from just-one also has to be commended for the great work he is doing in Nepal and for his inspiration to all our young people."

To find out more about the great work being done in Nepal by just-one, click here