A mum has handed a £4,225 cheque to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) after a walk in memory of her 15-year-old son.
Gillian Fleming wanted to keep son Lewis's memory alive after he slipped and fell at Powerscourt Waterfall Estate in Co. Wicklow three years ago.
On Sunday, October 30, the day before Lewis would have turned 18, a balloon release was held at Portrush Yacht Club. Mourners walked around the coastal route, along Ramore Head, and round to the Arcadia before finishing at the club.
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Lewis was one of Ballymoney Swimming Club’s senior squad members and played a major role in relay team and competitions. As such, this made it easy for Gillian to make the RNLI their chosen charity.
Gillian felt that she couldn’t celebrate the life of Lewis due to the Covid-19 pandemic and knew other families were in the same position. Therefore, the event was also open for anyone to get involved and celebrate the life of any loved one they lost during the pandemic.
She wanted the proceeds to go to the RNLI after discovering they were struggling to fundraise during the pandemic. Gillian now says she has been left feeling overwhelmed by the response to the fundraiser.
She said: "I have been totally blown away with the response from people, I just hope Lewis is looking down and is proud and just knows how much I love him. I truly believe that unseen force connects us all.”
"What a fantastic morning we had in Portrush, we were kindly invited to come down and see the work that they do and where our funding efforts are going. I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone again for all your support and generosity. The team was overwhelmed so were we, with how this memory walk went.
“When Lewis passed away, I can only describe it as a rabbit caught in the headlights, I truly believe he was leaving me to live again. I feel like I always get signs from him. I feel like we are all connected by love. On the first week back to work I went round the corner and saw a big van and up the side of it was the name Lewis.
“Grief is like the ocean it comes in waves, covers you and sometimes they hit you. We just must learn to swim.”
Cara Hunter MLA highlighted how the money will help the local community. She said: “I think it is fantastic this money has been raised for the RNLI. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim of this tragic incident.
“To this day I know the local community feels his loss. I know this money will go towards supporting our local RNLI and continue saving lives.”
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