'It's about remembering and celebrating Matthew': Grieving dad hosts memorial birthday fundraiser

Matthew's father James Healy, rear, with nephews Alex and Rhys Healy and niece Orla Healy at the Motorcycle and Vintage Car Run in memory of Matthew Healy, in aid of the Make A Wish Foundation at McCarthy Commercials, Watergrasshill, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

He is known by many for how he died — but his family want Ireland to know how much he lived during his short but fun-packed life.

On what should have been young Matthew Healy’s seventh birthday weekend, his grieving dad James brought family and friends together in Watergrasshill, Cork, on Sunday to celebrate his “little ladeen’s” life, to sing him 'Happy Birthday', to share fond and treasured memories of him with the country, and to raise money to make kids’ dreams come true.