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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Conor Coyle

Co Fermanagh teenager’s skydive in memory of mum

A Co Fermanagh teen has raised more than £25,000 for a local cancer charity along with his dad in memory of his mother who died two years ago.

Luke Swift, from Lisnaskea, and his dad Leo took to the skies for a parachute jump last month to raise funds for Cancer Fund for Children.

The charity supported 18-year-old Luke and his siblings after the death of his mum Sharon following a batle with the illness in 2021.

READ MORE: Community group bringing positivity to Fermanagh village after recent crime rise

Luke says his mum was "the heart of the home" and was delighted to raise the funds in her memory.

“Mum was diagnosed with cancer when I was in first year and then it came back a few years later,” Luke said.

“She passed away fairly suddenly two years ago and we had been up in Daisy Lodge and they had helped us a lot as a family.

“Mum is a major loss, she was just the heart of the home and the one person you would have gone to for anything. It’s just hard to get the head around.”

Luke says he wasn’t too nervous on the day of the jump itself, and was supported by pupils of his former school St Kevin’s Lisnaskea who raised just short of £1,000 as well.

“It was a great day and I’d love to do it all again,” Luke said.

“The nerves weren’t too bad on the day now thankfully. Once you land it’s a real great feeling

“We raised £25,000 ourselves and the school raised more than £900 as well. It was mostly friends and family who donated so we couldn’t thank them enough.

“We couldn’t believe the amount that we got in the end, dad and myself would like to say a huge thank you to everyone.

“It’s for a great cause and they help a lot of families so it was great to give back to them.”

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