For the McKinley family in Dunfanaghy, Saturday evening was a poignant but proud occasion as they presented two of Donegal’s best known marine responder groups with a grand total of €30,000.
This huge fundraising initiative was based in Dunfanaghy in tribute to local fisherman, Bill McKinley who lost his life off Horn Head in June 2015.
The recipients of €15,000 each were the Buncrana RNLI and the Mulroy Branch of the Irish Coastguard.
Mr. McKinley was onboard the ‘MFV Our Jenna’ fishing out of from Portnablagh and lost his life that afternoon when he fell overboard. The vessel was engaged in crab fishing a mile and a half north of Horn Head when tragedy struck.
The 118 helicopter was tasked from Sligo and lifeboat crews from Arranmore and Lough Swilly rushed to the scene along with the Mulroy Coastguard and a local fishing trawler. Rev David McDonnell, Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Dunfanaghy, described Bill as a ‘gentle, kind man who lived for the sea’.
This was a tragedy that stunned the people of Dunfanaghy but also those in the closely knit fishing communities along the Donegal coast.
As a tribute to Bill, his own family, friends and neighbours got together to raise funding for the marine services who assisted at the scene of the incident.
‘The Thumbs Up Cycle plan gradually evolved into what was to become a massive success. The initial expectations were to raise a couple of thousand Euros for the Swilly lifeboats and the Mulroy Unit of the Irish Coastguard.
The 720km between Mizzen and Malin Head took place from the 2nd to the 9th August last year.
The five participants included Bill’s brother, and Fred McKinley and other family members.
They also had a number of events including bed push between Creeslough and Dunfanaghy: a wax and beard shave in Dunfanaghy Golf Club, a table quiz in Arnold’s Hotel, a 23 our bowling competition; an Easter hamper draw and a big night in Rose’s Bar in Creeslough.
They were also granted a permit to collect donations in the villages during the cycle.
The Thumbs Up Cyclists were Lisa McKinley, Fred McKinley, Joe McClafferty, Emma McKinley.
The Members of the Thumbs Up Cycle Team went to Buncrana on Saturday evening to present their cheque to the members of The Lough Swilly RNLI at the Lough Swilly Lifeboat Station at Ned’s Point
Emma McKinley presented the cheque for €15,000 to John McCarter, Operations Manager of the Lough Swilly RNLI Station and he expressed the gratitude of all his colleagues for such a magnificent gesture.
The group then returned to Mevagh and the headquarters of the Mulroy Unit of the Coastguard to present a similar amount.
The presentation to Michelle Hay was made by Carol Ann Stewart. The Thumps Up group included, Emma McKinley, Tara McKinley, Fred McKinley, Joe McCafferty, William McKinley, Kathleen McKinley, Lisa McKinley, Nan McKinley (Bill’s mother), Carol-Anne Stewart, Annabel Stewart, Sharon Doohan, James McKinley, Alie McKemey, Agnes Stewart, Kathleen Ann Creamer and Darren McKinley.
The Mulroy Coastguard team was represented by Shaun McGeever, Kelly Gallagher, David Long, Brian McBride, Roisin McBride, Seamus Gallagher, Edward McGettigan and Hugh Cullen.
Thanks were returned to the McKinley family and friends and refreshments were served to one and all.
The family of the late Bill McKinley would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who donated and helped out with all the Thumbs Up Cycle events over the past year. They really appreciate all the support they received.
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