The family of late John Hegarty took to the skies on Saturday in a special fundraising skydive in his memory, raising money for the Renal Unit in Omagh and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The event paid tribute to the much-loved brother and husband, who passed away last year due to heart complications, while also highlighting the hereditary kidney disease that has affected generations of the Hegarty family.

John, who would have celebrated his 50th birthday this year, underwent a kidney transplant during his lifetime, as have several of his relatives. Speaking to the Derry Journal, his brother Neil Hegarty revealed that six members of the family have received kidney transplants as a result of the inherited condition.

Neil explained that the disease continues to impact future generations, with some of his grandchildren testing positive for the gene and potentially requiring renal support or a transplant later in life.

placeholder image — Hegarty family's Jump For John.

He said this was the driving force behind the family's decision to undertake the skydive, both to honour John's memory and to support others facing similar challenges.

The family also chose to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity Neil said was close to John's heart.

The Hegarty family said: “Make-A-Wish creates life-changing moments for children and families during incredibly difficult times, and we feel this reflects the kindness and compassion John showed throughout his life.”

Speaking about his brother, Neil said: “He was amazing and funny. No matter where he walked, heads turned. No matter how down you were feeling, once he sat down and started chatting, you would leave the place on a high.

“He wouldn't have passed a person without speaking to them. It didn't matter who you were.

“John was my only brother. There were times when I was sitting in the garage worrying about different things, and I would lift the phone and speak to him for a while. It was like a weight had been lifted off your chest just from chatting to him.”

Despite the challenges the family's genetic condition has brought, Neil said it has also strengthened the bonds between relatives.

“The minute someone in our family is diagnosed, everybody comes together. We all put our names forward and head to Belfast to get our bloods tested. Whoever is a match steps forward straight away,” he said.

Speaking about the importance of finding a donor, Neil added: “It's like getting six numbers up in the lottery. It's unbelievable. My wife donated a kidney to me, I have had a sister donate a kidney to another sister, and another sister donated a kidney to my son.

“We are a very close family. When things like this happen, you just lift the phone and everybody is there for you.”

Speaking ahead of the skydive, Neil joked: “It was my nephew who came up with the idea of the skydive. I thought, ‘God, could you not have picked something a bit easier than that?’”

You can donate to Jump For John here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jumpforjohn

The family said: “Your support will help honour John’s memory while giving back to two causes that represent care, hope, and the difference that kindness can make.”