Thousands raised marking Aidan’s tenth anniversary

A WALK across the stunning Cuilcagh mountain to celebrate the life of Aidan Mullan has also raised almost £4,500 in his memory.

The Tyrone GAA fan, who hailed from Tattyreagh, died in the early hours of July 31, 2011, when he stumbled and fell into the River Liffey in Dublin.

Just hours before the tragedy, he had been cheering on Tyrone in Croke Park, as he watched his team beat Roscommon in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

To mark the tenth anniversary of Aidan’s death, his family organised a special trek across the Cuilcagh boardwalk in aid of The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT) – a charity which ‘recognised Aidan’s goals’, and represented ‘what he stood for’ – as well as other causes close to their hearts.

Speaking to the Tyrone Herald, a spokesperson from the family described feeling truly heartened by the ‘amazing’ turnout from both the Tattyreagh and Dromore communities.

“Our families – the Mullans, Maguires, and Coltons – wanted a day to remember and reflect on Aidan’s life, and anyone who wished to join us were welcome,” they said. “We chose the Cuilcagh Boardwalk as it is appropriately named ‘The Stairway To Heaven’.

“It was a lovely, peaceful morning; remembering a well-loved son, brother, husband, uncle, and friend.

“We also decided to use this as an opportunity to fundraise for KBRT,” they continued. “Although they weren’t established at the time of Aidan’s death, we recognise that their goals were very much something that Aidan stood for, and they also help others – which is something that we, as a family, are passionate about doing.”

The spokesperson added that the fundraising had simply ‘blown them away’.

“We are delighted to say that, through Facebook, we received a massive £4,500 from family in England, friends in America, and of course locally,” they said.

“As well as raising money for KBRT, we have donated £1,000 to Fr Brian O’Kane for his work with Society of African Missions in Zambia.

“We have also donated smaller amounts locally to Tattyreagh GAA Club, who have always remembered Aidan, particularly through the ‘Aidan Mullan Stand’; and Care for Cancer, a charity based in Campsie, Omagh, as cancer has affected many of our own family members.”

The family concluded by thanking everyone for their donations, and for walking the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ with them.