Mobilising in Martin’s memory

The strongest bonds are often forged in the fires of misfortune, and this certainly seems to be the case with the McKay family.

The Drumquin clan have been to hell and back over the last 20 years, their lowest ebb coming 18 years ago when their brother, Martin was killed in a tragic workplace accident.

Recently, however, to mark what would have been the year their sibling turned 50, the McKays harnessed their pain and used it to power a hugely successful fundraiser for two charities to whom the family feel they owe a debt.

Running the first tractor run in Drumquin’s history, to which well over 100 agricultural vehicles turned up, the family raised £14,822, which was split between The Community Respiratory Team at Omagh Hospital and the Make A Wish Foundation.

At the tail end of last week, we spoke with Martin’s sister, Siobhan, who discussed Martin’s death, the family health tribulations that followed, why they chose the charities they did, and the indefatigable community spirit of the people of Drumquin.

“At the time Martin was killed, he and our other brother, Gerard were running a tarmacing business, McKay Bros,” she explained. “They were in a good way of going and we were all so proud of them.”

Siobhan said the day of Martin’s death was his first back in his preferred hands-on role, after having reluctantly served a short spell as the company’s travelling salesman.

“Had Martin not died that day, 2024 would have been the year he turned 50. Unfortunately, he left this world 18 years ago, and with him went so much potential and possibility.”

Only days after Martin’s funeral, his wife, Anona, gave birth to their first and only child, ‘Wee Martin’.

However, fate afforded the family little time to grieve or celebrate, instead throwing new pain in their path.

“Not that long after Martin died, our sister, Edel was diagnosed with breast cancer, then we found out that wee Ciaran, Gerard’s son, also had a tumour.”

Today, thankfully, both Edel and Ciaran are healthy and cancer-free.

“Wee Ciaran was only four when he got sick, and he had to go through all that chemotherapy and a 14-hour-long operation. That was a long day, let me tell you,” said Siobhan.

One moment of light within that tumult of darkness, though, was provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“They funded Ciaran and his family to go to Lapland and Disneyland, which was something that they have always been so grateful for,” said Siobhan.

Needless to say, that is why half the money raised by the McKays will be going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

However, the destination of the other 50 per-cent was determined by another twist of family fate.

“When our Dad (Kevin) was diagnosed with COPD, our Mum (Eileen) done most of the caring for him,” Siobhan continued.

“She is such a beacon of hope in our house, full of prayer and positivity, and we believe she kept Dad living for years beyond what most doctors would have expected.”

But when things did become too much for Eileen, Siobhan said, with a great degree of appreciation, the staff at The Community Respiratory Team at Omagh Hospital showed her father a remarkable amount of love, kindness and care.

“We could never completely repay them for what they did, but hopefully the money we have raised will go some way to saying thanks.”

Then, on behalf of the wider family circle, Siobhan declined to take some of the credit for the success of their fundraiser, instead apportioning much of it to the support they received from the people of Drumquin.

“Some people probably think it is silly that we still have a Remembrance Mass every year for Martin, but friends and family still keep coming.

“People are always scared that their loved one is going to be forgotten, but the people of Drumquin continue to let us know that Martin’s memory lives on,” said Siobhan.

Concluding, Siobhan said, “We weren’t expecting the day to be as emotional as it was, handing over everyone’s donations to our two chosen charities. Emotional as we miss Martin so much, emotional as we reflect on the love and kindness shown to Daddy (Kevin McKay) over his illness, emotional recalling how a charity was there to help young Ciaran battle through his illness, emotional thinking of everything Edel went through, and emotional realising how people are so kind, generous and thoughtful.”