Video: Gift of Christmas for a family in Cork that truly deserves it

Ready for some Christmas cheer from Cork? This one is special.

Video: Gift of Christmas for a family in Cork that truly deserves it

Ready for some Christmas cheer from Cork? This one is something special.

Cork's RedFM radio station ran a major competition this year called 'Christmas Covered', to win a huge array of prizes to cover Christmas and the New Year. Businesses from all over the city teamed up to provide hundreds worth of vouchers covering every type of item you could think of.

The criteria for the prize makes it even better - folks had to write an old-fashioned letter to the station nominating the person they felt should get a real magical Christmas. They were looking for a person who deserved it.

But Emmet O'Callaghan from Bishopstown was crushed to find out he hadn't won after a live on-air competition. He lost his show-down with Sarah and James Cassidy, separated from each other across the world.

Only Sarah and James don't exist - they work for the station, and were just a decoy.

— The intro lasts 50 seconds in the above video.

Cruel, yes. Genius, yes. Magical? Definitely.

But the big reveal is just one part of the story. The real tale took place late last week, live on radio.

The letter Emer wrote nominating her brother and his family is heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time.

— Listen to Emer read her emotional letter from 7:30 to 13:00 in the audio above. It’s worth it.

"Our own dad passed away when we were kids ... he was only 11, and I was four, but from the day my dad died, he looked after me and my brother when my mum and my older two brothers went out to work," she wrote.

"He fed us, dressed us, made our lunches, and walked us to school ... those small promises from your big brother mean everything.

"He missed out on so much of his own childhood for me ... he's a hero, for all he did for me. He was there for me every day of my life.

"The crash happened, and he lost everything [as a plasterer] ... we as a family helped, but Emmet is a very proud man, and he'd never take a handout.

"I saw my poor brother in bits ... it broke my heart to see him so low.

"Just when I think it couldn't get any worse, I get a call one morning ... there's been a fire. I'll never forget seeing Emmet's house burnt down.

"I can't imagine what it must be like to have no job, have a mortgage, and then to have the house burn down.

"This year has been a terrible one for my brother and his family, yet he still remains positive and fights on.

"I love my brother, I always will ... if I could buy the prize for him, I would. I really would.

"He'll always be my hero."

When Emmet arrived back home, he discovered the whole quiz segment was a sham - leading to his emotional reaction captured by RedFM's video team.

Emer has said it better than anyone else can, but Emmet seems like he deserved a break.

• Fair play to Red FM for all the hard work behind this story.

Red FM were also the team that highlighted the heart-warming story of the 11-year-old Cork boy who spent his Christmas budget on helping a homeless woman in the city.

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