Graham Norton has hosted a fundraiser in memory of “an inspirational” teen from Co. Cork.
The chat show host led tributes at an evening in memory of Helen Fennell, from Bandon, who passed away just months after a heart transplant.
The teenager was a huge fan of The Graham Norton Show, and after her surgery she got the chance to fly over to London and sit in the show’s audience – and described it as “the best night of my life”.
Inspiration: Graham described Helen as “remarkable” | INSTAGRAM
The popular TV presenter, who was classmate’s with Helen’s mum Elaine in Bandon Grammar, held the Graham Norton and Friends fundraiser at Cork’s Everyman Palace Theatre yesterday.
Graham described Helen as “a remarkable young woman”, who was diagnosed shortly after birth with cardiomyopathy, a potentially fatal disease of the heart muscle.
Helen lived a relatively normal life with continued treatment until 2013, when her health began to deteriorate. Then in April 2014 she underwent a heart transplant.
Fan: Helen was a huge fan of The Graham Norton Show
According to Independent.ie, two months after her 18th birthday in August 2014, Helen’s parents took her to London after getting tickets from Graham for his show, where he then insisted on treating them all to dinner.
Unfortunately, just weeks later Helen became ill and sadly passed away on December 27.
Graham is currently spending some time in Ireland after he showed his support for LGBT organisation Gay Switchboard Ireland.Â
