ALMOST €50,000 has been raised for two hero grandparents who rescued their four-month-old granddaughter from their burning home.
A fire broke out at the home of Noel and Margaret Bolster in the Ballysimon area on Friday January 9. Reports at the time put the blaze down to a fault in an electrical appliance.
The grandparents and their four-month-old granddaughter were treated at the scene of the blaze by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where they were treated for smoke inhalation.
Both Noel and Margaret made it out of the blaze unscathed as, thanks to their heroic actions, did their precious granddaughter. Their home, however, was completely destroyed.
“It was a great rescue, fair play to them. It was close call,” a source said at the time on the grandparents’ heroic actions.
Fire fighters attached to Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service fought the January 9 blaze, remaining at the home for many hours dampening the scene to ensure the fire was completely quench. However, the home was beyond saving.
Now, an online fundraiser has been launched by Noel and Margaret’s daughters, Nichola and Harriet Bolster. The grateful daughters are hoping for the help of the Limerick community to help their hero parents rebuild their family home.
“On Friday the 9th of January 2026, a fire broke out at our parents home. With no thought for their own safety, they rushed to save their four-month-old granddaughter,” a post on online fundraising platform GoFundMe, launched this week, reads.
“Luckily, all three escaped without serious injury and have recovered well. Unfortunately, the house was completely destroyed.”
Nichola and Harriet’s post said that their parents home “was not just a house, it was a warm, welcoming home, where the door was always open to everyone”.
“Many happy memories were made over the years. To create this home that they were so proud of, they worked hard over countless years and invested all their time, money and love.
“With our parents in their 70s, they cannot carry this financial burden alone. Therefore, we would be so grateful to anyone who can contribute and help us to rebuild their home.”
As of this Monday afternoon, the fundraiser has already raised close to €47,000 of the family’s overall €150,0000 goal.
Donations can be made on gofundme.com/f/help-noel-margaret-bolster-rebuild-their-home.