Parents of Cork boy (3) who died from brain tumour to set up foundation in his name

Three-year-old Conor Armstrong, who died in the arms of his loving family on January 31, will be laid to rest on Thursday.

His heartbroken mum and dad, Louise Kelly Armstrong from Churchfield, and her husband Dean, have said they will set up a foundation in their son’s name to raise money and provide support for children and other families going through the same ordeal.

In an updated message that was written on behalf of Louise and Dean on a GoFundMe page that had been set up to help them raise funds, they say they could not thank everyone “who supported us enough by messaging, donating and spreading the word to help us raise the money we did for Conor”.

“We will be using a small portion of the money to cover his funeral costs which is something we never thought would happen,” the message reads.

“We then plan to start a foundation in Conor’s name, to raise money and provide support for children just like Conor and the families who are going through this with them.

“We have so many plans in place to continue to raise funds and make our son proud, like he did us.

“Right now, all we can ask from everyone is for time. We need time to process, time to grieve and time to find even a fraction of the strength Conor had to press forward with the foundation in his name.”

An earlier post detailed the battle the family fought since November 2021 when they “received the worst news we possibly could have”.

It told how their “wonderful, playful, cheeky son Conor” was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and had gone from “playing like a normal three year old boy does to now struggling to walk and talk”.

They had made countless hospital trips but were eventually told that “there is nothing they can do and we are now to enjoy our time together as a family of four”.

It told how in the “heart-breaking eventuality” that they could not find treatment for Conor, they wanted to take “their perfect little boy” to Disneyland for one last adventure

However, in the tragic update they add: “It feels completely impossible to even be writing these words, but as you all came on this journey with us, we felt it is important that we update you all.

“On 31st January 2022 our sweet brave boy Conor got to spend his final moments here with us, in our arms, surrounded by family before he peacefully passed away. He fought so hard to stay with us and although we are completely heartbroken, we are and always will be incredibly proud.”

On his notice on RIP.ie it states that Conor, “beloved darling infant son of Louise Kelly-Armstrong and Dean Armstrong, was much loved dearest brother of Jack and adored grandson of Marian Waters”.

It adds: “Sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.”

A Mass of The Angels will take place on Thursday, February 24, at 11am in The Church of The Ascension, Gurranabraher.