The legacy of a Fermanagh man who died following a battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis is already being felt across Northern Ireland thanks to his role in securing a respite holiday home for patients living with the disease and their families.

A new respite holiday home for Pulmonary Fibrosis patients and their families is set to open soon in County Fermanagh with the first guests already having made themselves at home.

The home would not have been possible if it had not been for the late Thomas ‘Tom’ Donohoe and will serve as a legacy to the 49-year-old father of two who died last month.

Alongside his devoted wife, Clare, he dedicated his life to shedding light on pulmonary fibrosis, tirelessly working with the charity Pulmonary Fibrosis Northern Ireland to support other families ensnared by this devastating condition.

Mr. Donohoe played a key role in securing ‘Inis Ceithleann Retreat’ on the Lough Erne Golf Resort, a sanctuary for patients, carers, and families impacted by the disease to find peace and create cherished memories.

The first guest was Gerry Fitzgerald, a former Picture Editor of the Belfast Telegraph alongside his wife, Margot, who is retired from a career with the Open University. They were joined by family members and their pet dog.

Gerry is no stranger to the area following his 40-year career in the media, in addition to his photography, he played a key role in bringing colour to the news pages of The Impartial Reporter in the 1990s.

Gerry and Margot were praising of the facilities in the home and how it is designed with pulmonary fibrosis patients in mind.

Having been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in April 2013, Gerry is on oxygen 24 /7 and when travelling he like other patients with the disease need to make arrangements to ensure they always have oxygen.

Margo explained: “The oxygen could be delivered the day before we arrived. So we were certain that the oxygen was already there in place. As well as leaving cylinders of oxygen, they left the concentrator machine [which supports the supply of oxygen].

She continued: “The house has been modified in that there is now a bedroom downstairs. For Gerry and for other patients of pulmonary fibrosis, it's very difficult to get upstairs without a stairlift so a room has been changed into a bedroom, and that's that's very convenient. There is a downstairs toilet with shower in it, it means the patient doesn't have to go upstairs at all.”

The Inis Ceithleann Retreat is located within the grounds of the Lough Erne Resort and visitors are able to visit the hotel.

Gerry added: “The Lough Erne Resort is a perfect place for people like us as it is very flat and there are lots of nice flat walks. You are so close to the hotel if you want to relax, read and have a cup of coffee.”

The Enniskillen respite is the latest offering from the charity which also has a static caravan known as the Puffin Lodge in Ballycastle available for patients and their families to visit and make memories.