Get your boots on for virtual walk in memory of Aodhán and Oran

Aodhán was aged 19 when he passed away in July 2018, while Oran was just 18 when he died last November.

The former St. Columb’s College pupils - Aodhán hurled with Na Magha and Derry while Oran played for Slaghtmanus and represented the college at an Ulster Schools Final in 2017 - both died in tragic circumstances long before their time.

Next week a walk and run will take place in order to raise funds for four charities close to the hearts of the boys’ families. The event has been organised by Aodhán’s godmother, Ailish O’Kane, a chemistry teacher at St. Columb’s.

Last year a pre-COVID walk for Aodhán managed to raise an incredible £14,000 which was shared between Foyle Search and Rescue and Zest Healing The Hurt, two self-harm and suicide prevention charities.

Ailish said she felt it was important to do something this year despite the coronavirus lockdown because she knew that such important charities were reliant on public support.

“Zest say they were able to do 300 sessions with the money raised last year. One session can save a person. That was a real benefit. With COVID mental health issues are going to be worse. Foyle Search and Rescue are being called out every day. The time that Aodhán died, they were amazing. Before you would have seen them in action and thought - God they are great the work that they do. But they really are a lifeline.”

This year monies raised will also be distributed to CLIC Sargent and the Anthony Nolan Trust, the latter a charity that helps people with blood cancer or blood disorders: Oran died from a rare blood disorder called severe aplastic aniema. Ailish said: “I thought that it being in lockdown we could try to do something. Teaching in our school, and our school being so big, I just thought it would be terrible to waste an opportunity and not to do anything. People have been great sofar. We have over £1,500 raised.”

Aodhfin Taggart, a Year 11 pupil at St. Columb’s who took part in last year’s event, encouraged people to be involved.

“The event was fun to take part in and was a really good experience. For me it was important to take part in the run because it showed the school community coming together to show support to Aodhán’s family and people with mental health issues.”

Ciaran McLaughlin, is another fourth year pupil from Oran’s and Aodhán’s alma mater. “I took part in the 5k run last year because mental health issues are the silent killers of our society today. “So to get a bunch of people together as a community was very supportive and shows to those suffering quietly that they’re not alone and there’s not just a massive amount of help but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. It was a great experience and was very enjoyable running with such a great number of people fighting these illnesses together.”

A spokesperson for St. Columb’s College said: “Both of these young men are sadly missed by staff and students at the College. Oran was a pleasant young man - a true gentleman in the making. He was a conscientious student who was respected by staff and peers alike. Outside of school, he played an active role in his local GAA club and enjoyed socialising with friends when not working on cars with his father. Oran showed extreme courage and faith throughout his illness and his loss has left its mark on those who remember him fondly.

“Aodhán was such a genuine, lovely person and brought a smile to everyone he was around. He was a dream of a young fella. He was a fantastic hurler and loved representing his club and county. Family, friends and team mates held him in high esteem and he is sorely missed by us all.”

To take part, participants are asked to do a 5k walk/run and to post a photo wearing last year’s bespoke t-shirt or School/Team GAA jerseys to [email protected].

Please donate at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stcolumbs-college?utm_term=RPrXgExVk