Derry family’s fundraising challenge for Foyle Hospice in memory of their mum

Lynn Meenan was just 32 years old when she passed away, leaving behind her husband Joe and their four children Orla, Ashleen, Niall and Sinead.

They were just 11, seven, five and two years old at the time. While the family have now grown up and have children of their own, they have never forgotten the support they received from the Foyle Hospice.

Ashleen told the Journal how, as her mother’s 60th birthday approached, they wanted to do something in her name.

“Mammy spent her final days in the hospice. At that time, she was probably the youngest to have died there. We went to the hospice every day when mammy was there. They were so good to us. Not only did they care brilliantly for mammy, but they were so caring to us. They fed us and we’d sit and do our homework and spend time with her.

“We were trying to think of something we could do, as a family, for mammy’s 60th on February 3. My brother is in Australia and my sister is in Glasgow, so we couldn’t get together for it.

“We went online and saw on the Foyle Hospice page they were looking for people to do challenges. We decided we would walk 60 miles between us for the month of February.”

However, the support for the fundraiser exceeded their expectations and the family decided to increase the number of miles.

“We hit our first target in the first hour and the donations kept going up. We decided then that we’d increase it to £6000 pounds for 60 years and we would do 60 miles each, not just between us.”

All of the family, as well as the seven grandchildren, their father, Joe and friends and neighbours in London and Canada have joined in. The grandchildren have also organised a raffle.

Along with raising much needed funds for the hospice, the challenge has also allowed the family to recall memories of their mother, as well as uncover new photographs and treasured stories.

“We asked people to send memories and pictures and we’re going to pout them in a picture book for the grandchildren.’

*If you’d like to donate, see ‘Fundraiser for Foyle Hospice in memory of Lynn Meenan (nee Begley)’ on Facebook.