"Her generosity will provide hope to so many people affected by cancer."
Five Irish charities will benefit from multi-million euro donations left to them by a Laois woman.
Elizabeth O'Kelly, who passed away two years ago at the age of 92, left a total of €30 million in her will to the organisations.
The Irish Cancer Society has revealed that it received €6 million from Mrs O'Kelly, which it says is the single largest donation it's ever received.
Elizabeth O'Kelly Image Credit: Alf HarveyIn a statement, the Irish Cancer Society said:
"We are deeply grateful to Mrs Elizabeth O'Kelly for generously remembering people with cancer in her will. Her generosity will provide hope to so many people affected by cancer and deliver improvements in cancer care that would have been impossible otherwise."
"Mrs O’Kelly, who most recently lived in Stradbally, Co. Laois, was known for displaying great kindness towards her friends and being charitable in supporting those in need. This tremendous kindness and generosity is reflected in her decision to leave equal amounts in her will to five charities."
It added that Mrs O'Kelly had "successfully battled cancer in the 1980s. She knew first-hand the challenges cancer patients face and the positive difference the Irish Cancer Society makes to them in their time of need".
Irish Autism Action also received €6 million from Mrs O'Kelly.
The charity says the donation will have a major impact on its work which will go towards research, training and promoting autism awareness.
The other charities include the Irish Heart Foundation, Irish Kidney Association and the RNLI.
The Irish Times reports that Mrs O'Kelly had extensive property interests in Dublin and also made about €30 million from the sale of the Leinster Leader newspaper in 2005.
