The parents of a Co Fermanagh teenager who tragically died in a road crash last December have paid tribute to their daughter as more than £20,000 has been raised in her memory.
Caitlin Hogg, 13, died after a collision with a car when she was on the way home from school in early December.
A dedicated and talented player with her local GAA club, Kinawley, the club ran a ‘10 million steps for Caitlin’ event which saw her teammates raise funds for the Air Ambulance charity in her memory.
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The fundraiser, along with donations made in lieu of flowers following Caitlin’s funeral, helped to to raise over £24,000 for the charity.
Caitlin’s parents Bob and Rosemary said that their daughter touched the lives of many people within the local community.
“Caitlin was such a fun-loving, caring and generous child who we miss dearly,” they said.
“She touched the lives of many, and her family, friends and community meant the world to her. We are so overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who contributed to Air Ambulance NI in her memory.
“When Kinawley GAA approached us about the idea of organising a ‘Ten Million Steps for Caitlin Challenge’ we were truly honoured by such a gesture in memory of our darling Caitlin.
“Getting out and walking with the girls and the community during the bleak winter evenings that followed Caitlin’s accident helped us as a family to get through a very difficult period.”
Bob and Rosemary added that they will be ‘forever indebted’ to everyone within the local Co Fermanagh community that supported them.
"We will be forever indebted to everyone who took part and supported us,” they added.
“The girls’ achievement was incredible and is something of which they should be very proud; we certainly have no doubt that Caitlin is so proud of them.
“Of course, all of this could not have been for a better cause. We will be eternally grateful for the efforts of Air Ambulance NI in response to Caitlin’s accident and are delighted that the money raised in her memory will contribute to sustaining such a vital service.”
Speaking about the initiative, Aine Haren from Kinawley GAA said, “Caitlin was a beautiful young lady, both inside and out, a credit to her family.
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"She had such a generous smile and loving nature. Her loss cast a huge shadow over the entire community and affected so many people in different ways.
“Despite the tragic circumstances it was a truly heart-warming experience and a great comfort to all, exemplified by the final night where hundreds of people from all over the county and beyond attended.”
Damien McAnespie, Air Ambulance NI Fundraising Manager, said: “This is an incredible donation in Caitlin’s memory. To see something so positive happening after such a tragedy is humbling.
"Kinawley GAA should be commended on how they brought the entire community together and allowed everyone a way to express their grief in the weeks and months after the loss of Caitlin, especially for her family and young club mates.”
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