Daniel asks virus to go away

In an emotional letter to his family and friends at St Patrick’s Primary School, Magheralin, Daniel wrote: “I want Coronavirus to go away before my birthday.”
Mum Laura has been recently unwell and due to her condition feels it problematic to send her children to school and risk contracting the virus.
Whilst at home, Daniel put pen to paper explaining: “Hi, My name is Daniel Gracey. I am nine. My birthday is in 16 days. I am going to be 10.

“I live with my mum and step Dad, my brother Eoin and my two dogs Sandy and Duke.

“I didn’t go to school on Friday because of Coronavirus.

“My family doesn’t want me to go to school in case I catch it. For my birthday I want the Coronavirus to go away and never ever ever come back.”
Daniel’s mum and step father Diármuid and older brother Eóin were shocked and overwhelmed to read the moving appeal.

However brother Eóin, who is a pupil at St John the Baptist College in Portadown, said that he was ‘very proud’ of him.
Mum Laura added: “Daniel is a quiet child and takes everything in.

“He’s such an anxious child so constant reassure is necessary.”