“The combined donation from Kinawley GAA and donations in-lieu of flowers of over £24k will fund the air ambulance for over three days. Kinawley GAA should be commended on how they brought the entire community together and allowed everyone a way to express their grief in the weeks and months after the loss of Caitlin, especially for her family and young club mates. To see something so positive happening after such a tragedy is humbling. “This is an incredible donation in Caitlin’s memory. We will be forever indebted to everyone who took part and supported us.”ĭamien McAnespie, Air Ambulance NI Fundraising Manager, said: Getting out and walking with the girls and the community during the bleak winter evenings that followed Caitlin’s accident helped us as a family to get through a very difficult period. “When Kinawley GAA approached us about the idea of organising a ‘Ten Million Steps for Caitlin’ challenge, we were truly honoured by such a gesture in memory of our darling Caitlin. We are so overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who contributed to Air Ambulance NI in her memory. She touched the lives of many, and her family, friends and community meant the world to her. “Caitlin was such a fun-loving, caring and generous child who we miss dearly. The girls who participated should be immensely proud of their achievements and everyone who joined in will have fond memories with many new friendships having been formed.”Ĭaitlin’s parents, Bob and Rosemary, said: “The event has left an immeasurable legacy within the Club. It was something we didn’t realise we all needed. We are eternally grateful to Caitlin’s family for allowing us to run the event in her memory. It was an evening she would have enjoyed thoroughly, and a lovely way for everyone to come together and remember her, as well as celebrating the achievement of her teammates in completing the challenge. “Caitlin loved the social aspect of the GAA, and adored getting up to the pitch to have the craic with her friends. Thirty-eight girls took part in the challenge, and put in an unbelievable effort, but it was the support from the wider community that was truly overwhelming. The idea for the ‘Ten Million Steps for Caitlin’ challenge was formed, and quickly escalated. “Initially we wanted to organise something so that her friends and teammates could spend time together, especially after Christmas when there is not much activity happening and the evenings are bleak and dark. She had such a generous smile and loving nature. Her loss cast a huge shadow over the entire community and affected so many people in different ways. “Caitlin was a beautiful young lady, both inside and out, a credit to her family. Speaking about the ‘Ten Million Steps for Caitlin’ initiative, Aine Haren from the club said: The Kinawley club has been very proactive in their community and health activities for many years. Caitlin wore one of the Ulster GAA Live to Play pins in her school blazer pocket that her brother had given her from the workshop. Poignantly, Ulster GAA had been delivering the four-week Club Engagement Programme to young male members of Kinawley GAA the week before Caitlin’s tragic passing, which delivers a ‘Live to Play’ Road Safety Awareness workshop. This incredibly raised a further £18,391 for Air Ambulance NI. Caitlin’s family, friends and people from across the entire community joined the girls three evenings a week over a six-week period and walked together in her memory in all weather conditions. Then in late January, Kinawley organised an event which challenged Caitlin’s team mates to walk ‘Ten Million Steps for Caitlin’, taking place around their local football pitch. In the immediate aftermath of Caitlin’s passing, her family chose to have donations in-lieu of flowers to Air Ambulance NI, a charity partner of Ulster GAA, raising over £5700 after the HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) was tasked to her before transporting her to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast by helicopter. Thirteen-year-old Caitlin, a dedicated and talented player for Kinawley, tragically passed away on the 8 th December 2022, two days after being involved in a road traffic collision. Kinawley GAA club in Fermanagh have helped raise over £24,000 for Air Ambulance NI, in memory of their late member, Caitlin Hogg.
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