Geraldine McDaid spoke with the 'Journal's' Sue Doherty on Wednesday to share some precious memories of her beloved Brian and to tell her why she wants everyone to support marine rescue services.

Geraldine fervently believes that something good must come of the tragedy that struck her family less than two weeks ago.

"This is something I feel I have to do right now. I could wait two years, or ten if God spares me. But how many families might need these rescue services between now and then?

"If I can help just one family, prevent them from going through what I'm going through, then I'll know that my wee man did not die in vain. Maybe the next time someone's in trouble, they'll be able to get there in time. If not, then recover the body. It means so, so much. What they brought back to me is so precious, more than words can say."

As she recalls the night when Brian was lost, Geraldine is still overwhelmed by the numbers of people who came out to help look for him.
"When we heard, I grabbed the two youngest wains and we ran down to the shore. I saw Brian's dog, Shelby, where he had had left him tied to a boat. And my heart raised up. I thought, if Shelby's there, Brian will be there. But he wasn't.

"It was unbelievable, how when this devastating thing happened, the news spread like wildfire. And people came from everywhere to help. One minute, there was no one, the next minute there were hundreds.

""I just want to thank those people who came from near and far - the rescue services, friends, family, neighbours, that were out there looking for Brian. They're brave, brave people, who literally walked on the water. They didn't give up. They brought me what I wanted - my wain back to me. If they hadn't, I don't know, I swear I could have gone into the river after him."

Geraldine is determined to raise every cent she can for the rescue services. "I don't care if it's 5 cent or 10 cent, I'll take it. I swear I will never, ever pass by one of those collection boxes again. Those crews go out there and risk their lives to help others, and they don't get any money at all from the government, it's a disgrace."
Unexpected strength

Geraldine knows that she's still reeling from the shock of her sudden, tragic loss. But she also believes that it is her son Brian who is giving her strength to carry on.

"He's my wee angel and he's giving me strength. How else would I get through this? I know my wain was destined for bigger things than this cruel world could provide. What he will achieve in heaven will be phenomenal."

She still can't believe how quickly her whole world has changed. "A couple of weeks ago, I thought all I had to worry about was odd bloody socks. There was me, scolding and scolding. And I never thought I'd be walking behind one of my wains just a few days later. If I'd known I would only have Brian for 13 years, I'd have chained him to me, but you can't do that, can you?"

Each day brings its own, very different struggle. "Yesterday was a 'why' day. 'Why did it have to be Brian? Why did he have to be taken?' I don't know what kind of day today is yet...I don't know anything. Only the other day a sandwich would have tasted as good as a steak. Now it tastes like nothing."

A loving son

The stories Geraldine tells paint a picture of a hard-working, sometimes mischievous but always very loving boy.

"Brian loved animals. We had two rabbits and when one died, his heart was broken. He wrapped the rabbit in one of his jumpers and we buried it. We all swore we'd never have any more pets. Then he took it on himself to go and get 'The Dealer'. One day he told me we were getting a dog. A woman rang me and asked me did I still want her family's dog. I told Brian that she was away in Mountcharles, but he told me it didn't matter, the dog was free. That's how we got Shelby, and we only had him fifteen weeks when Brian died."

He'd very often suprise his mother with an unexpected gift.

"The odd day he'd have a wee flower for me. He'd come in the door from school and I'd ask him if he had any homework. He'd say no, because he'd done it all in class. Maybe he had, maybe he hadn't. But then, he'd take a flower from behind his back and give it to me. I don't know which neighbour's garden he'd nicked it from, but I suppose they wouldn't have minded too much.


"My birthday fell on Easter Sunday this year, and, about a week before Brian asked me could I give him e20 for doing some chores. Of course nothing really needed doing, everything had been put away. But he did a few things and I gave him the money anyway. Then he painted a neighbour's fence, and got e15 for that. My son could have squandered all that money but he didn't. Brian asked a neighbour who is a baker to make a cake for me. And he got a big bouquet of flowers delivered to the door."

Geraldine still feels his love all around her - her darling son is looking after his mother, father Damien, his two sisters Danielle and Areaya and baby brother James - from above.

Fundraising appeal

Tickets, priced at e10 each will go on sale Monday, in shops from Bridgend to Lifford, for a dance in Biddy Friel's, Drumoghill on Monday, June 2. Music by John McNichol from 10.30pm, with spot prizes including a shopping weekend in Aberdeen (donated by Geraldine's brother Marty, of Finn Valley promotions).

A bank account has been opened at Ulster Bank, Ballybofey for donations.
All proceeds to be divided between Greencastle Coast Guard, Foyle Search and Rescue, Malin Head Coast Guard Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre or charities nominated by these organisations.

Further information from Marty Gallahger 917 5815.