February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
And then, just to put the boot in, the boy turns around and does something even nicer, which makes us feel guilty.
Take this week, for example. As Daniel’s wedding to Majella McLennan draws near — the pair will be married on Nov. 4 — Daniel has asked his fans not to send any wedding gifts. Instead, he requests that they donate the money to the Romanian Challenge Appeal, to benefit his Romanian orphans charity.
“I’ve said all along that I have the best fans anyone could ever have in the world,” he told the Sunday World.
“They’re like an extension of my own family . . . we share a special affection for one another,” he said.
Given the level of devotion that Daniel receives from his fans — who are mostly middle-aged and elderly women who look upon him as the lovely, dacent son they never had — Daniel would definitely be in line for some serious swag. (Relax, everyone — that’s just the new word for free stuff.)
“I know many of [my fans] want to mark the occasion in a special way for us, by sending us wedding gifts, flowers and the like, but we would much prefer if they didn’t,” he said gently. Instead, he urges fans to make a donation to the fund, “however small.” If you’d like more information, you can visit Daniel’s official website: http://www.infowing.ie/donegal/daniel /templates/home.html.
“Sometimes, I wish the entire population of Ireland could visit these orphanages and see for themselves the horrific condition these kids endure daily,” said Daniel. So if you want to send him a prezzie, forget the monogrammed towels. You know what to do.