Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Conor Coyle

Co Tyrone woman raises thousands for family member who passed away after giving birth

A Co Tyrone runner has handed over a cheque for thousands to the Altnagelvin Neonatal Unit in memory of a family member who sadly died shortly after giving birth.

Joanne McBride from Drumquin tragically lost her life after giving birth to baby Lorcan, who spent a number of days in the Neonatal Unit.

That time allowed husband Aidan time to say goodbye to his wife and keep Lorcan safe while Covid 19 was on the rise.

Read more: Co Tyrone butchers picks up prestigious ‘Best in Ireland’ award

Aidan’s aunt-in-law Donna McCullagh from Gortin decided that tackling a marathon for the very first time would be one way to pay tribute to Joanne’s memory, raising crucial funds for the Neonatal unit in the Co Derry hospital, as well as Cancer Research NI.

Donna told MyTyrone: “We were just heartbroken for her and the family for what they had to go through, and because it was during Covid lockdown it was hard to go and give them any practical help.

“My husband comes from a large family of 12 with a lot of connections, family is very important to us all, and as a mummy myself it really hurt that somebody we know and love never really got the chance to be with their baby.”

“Running the marathon and raising the money in her memory was a small gesture on my part to help honour Joanne, and I’m hugely thankful to everyone who offered their support.”

Donna is a mother of four young children herself and completed the Belfast City Marathon race in under four hours last year, raising over £4,400 in the process.

“The training was very challenging and at times tough”, said Donna, whose work takes her all across Ireland and was coming home to a young family.

“So for training the runs I was getting up at half five in the morning to ensure I was getting in good miles, in my head I was doing this marathon once and I was going to do it right so I’m very thankful that I have an amazing husband, family and a support base that I can call always call upon.”

“I never expected in my wildest dreams to raise as much money as I did.”

“It was just something that I felt I had to do after seeing the work the unit does for young babies and their families.”

Read more: Co Tyrone sees return of St Patrick’s Day celebrations - in pictures

Read more: Man hospitalised after 'pair armed with hurling stick, knife and hatchet break into home'

For the latest breaking Co Tyrone news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.