A Co Fermanagh family are taking on the Belfast Marathon in memory of a popular school caretaker who died from cancer.
Maguiresbridge PS caretaker Eddie Fawcett passed away aged 56 in May 2020 after a battle with cancer.
Eddie’s extended family were unable to visit him in the months leading up to his death due to coronavirus >Covid 19 restrictions in what they describe as a ‘really hard time’ for the family.
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Eddie’s niece Vicki Coalter started to take up running around the same time on the advice of his wife Henrietta, with Vicki developing her passion for running in the years since.
Now Vicki will aim to complete her first full marathon in Belfast for local cancer support group SWELL, while Henrietta and other members of Eddie’s family will take on the relay as well in memory of the Co Fermanagh man.
“Eddie was big into his fishing and that kind of stuff so that’s how we like to remember him,” Vicki told MyFermanagh.
“He was just the best dad to his kids and grandkids who all remember him fondly.
“Eddie was a caretaker in Maguiresbridge Primary School for years and he was just absolutely adored in there.
“He has been such a big loss to everyone and we think about him all the time.
“When I first started running Eddie was at home but he was very sick, it was difficult having to walk up to his house but not being allowed in during such a hard time.
“It was difficult to see that and the toll it took on Eddie and his family.”
Vicki added that she had never been a runner before lockdown hit, but as she has got out to run more regularly she wanted to push herself to the ultimate test in memory of Eddie.
“I wasn’t really into running until the first lockdown came about and it just kept me going between that and my nursing degree.
“My aunt Henrietta would be quite a keen runner so she motivated me to get out and do it during that time.
“I’ve just kept at it since then and this will be a big challenge, but it’s all for a good cause.”
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