Kathleen ‘would be smiling’ as family raise £62,000

A CARRICKMORE family has raised a massive £62,000 for a trio of charities in memory of their mother.

‘Kathleen’s Causes’, was set up in memory of popular Kathleen Haughey who sadly passed away on December 18, 2019, after battling cancer.

Wife to Gerry and mother of two, Kathleen was heavily involved in fund-raising throughout her life, and her family organised a fund-raising weekend as fitting tribute to her.

The weekend was held on Friday September 4 and 5 and included a Golf Classic at Omagh Golf Club and a 5k Fun Walk or Run at An Creagan or a virtual walk or run. The family also held other events including a raffle for a Charolais heifer.

The weekend was held in aid of charities which were close to Kathleen and her family’s hearts – Termonmaguirc Cancer Patients’ Comfort Fund, North West Oxygen Centre and Marie Curie Cancer Centre.

From the grand total of £62,000, Marie Curie has received £10,000, Termonmaguirc Cancer Patients’ Comfort Fund has received £20,000 and the North West Oxygen Centre received £32,000 and the money was presented to the charities on Thursday.

Kathleen’s daughter Colleen McDermott said the family have been overwhelmed by the total raised and her mother would be extremely proud of their efforts. Colleen said, “This was a family and community event and without everyone’s help, it wouldn’t have happened.

“Thanks to everyone who donated, took part in the walk and supported the Golf Classic – we really appreciate your efforts. The charities were delighted to receive the money and we are so glad to be able to help them.We know first hand the good work they do and without them Mammy would have had a very different end of life experience.

“We know that Mammy will be smiling down on us,” said Colleen.

Kathleen was one of the founder members of the recently formed North West Oxygen Committee fundraising group. She joined the group when she was undergoing treatment knowing that she herself was unlikely to benefit from the oxygen facility when it opened.

Colleen is hopeful that the money raised for the centre will help get it up and running after the pandemic so local people do not have to travel long distances to receive oxygen.

She continued, “Mammy used to travel to Newry to get oxygen and it would mean getting up very early to be there for 9am but she found it gave her more energy and she was happy to do it.

“She was always keen to try and get something closer to home because Newry is quite a journey from Carrickmore. I think the centre is now at a stage where the tanks are here but it is not operational yet but hopefully once the restrictions and Covid19 settle down, it can get up and running.”

For more information on the newly-developed Oxygen Centre, visit North West Oxygen Centre on Facebook.