Family and friends of a popular Co Fermanagh teacher are taking on a mammoth challenge this weekend ahead of the first anniversary of her death.
The event is in memory of Amanda McManus from Lisnaskea passed away suddenly on 12th May 2021, aged just 36.
The devoted mother-of-two taught ICT at Ballyclare High School before taking up a post at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and was a great friend to staff at both schools.
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She was also involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, volunteering to better the lives of all the young people she was involved with.
Eldest daughter to Kenneth and Linda Hall and sister to Wendy and Susan, Amanda was married to Frainc and the couple had two young daughters, Katie, 5, and three-year-old Charlotte.
Now around 50 family members, friends and students are planning an event to pay tribute to Amanda, who they say "gave so much to all those around her".
As they approach the first anniversary of Amanda’s death, the staff of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School have decided to embark on a ‘Four Peaks Challenge’ this Saturday 7 May.
The route is approximately 25km long and involves climbing between 900-1000 metres (broken into four stages).
A group of staff together with members of Amanda’s family and friends and some senior Duke of Edinburgh Award pupils, have signed up for this challenge, opting for one, two, three or all four peaks.
Amanda's sister, Susan, told MyFermanagh: "I think Amanda would be laughing at us trying to do this but the Duke of Edinburgh awards were her big thing, even though we used to wonder why she gave up her weekends to take kids out walking.
"Hearing people's stories from the DofE and knowing what Amanda was like in school, that will definitely be motivation for us to keep going.
"It will take some people out of their comfort zones but it goes to show how much they thought of Amanda. It's very timely as it falls on the same day as the Darkness Into Light walks and Amanda would have always dragged us up to do that as well."
Reflecting on the loss of Amanda one year on, Susan added: "Her girls keep us going but there's not a day that we don't talk about Amanda.
"Some days there are happy tears and other days there are sad ones as we wonder what she would be doing or thinking if she was still here. But thinking of Amanda on Saturday will definitely get us through."
A GoFundMe page, set up by Amanda's friend and colleague, Sandra McCordick has already raised over £4,700 ahead of the event.
Sandra said: "The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme was very close to Amanda’s heart and we believe that this challenge, which involves climbing to the top of the four peaks, which give their name to our four School Houses: Cuilcagh, Trien, Benaughlin and Belmore, is a fitting tribute to honour Amanda’s memory."
"In taking on this challenge, we hope to raise as much as we can for the charities nominated by Amanda’s family; her Parish Church of Aghavea and The Oak Healthy Living Centre, both of which were very important to Amanda," Sandra added.
"For many, this is a real challenge, a challenge which moves us out of our comfort zone, but one that we are determined to complete to honour our colleague and friend. Training is well underway and your donations will help us drive forward to our goal.
"Every donation, however small, will be most gratefully received on behalf of Amanda’s family’s chosen charities."
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