The family of a man who died in a tragic accident in the Donegal mountains are going the extra mile to thank the kind heroes of the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team.
Beloved Derry man Brian Campbell (59) died while hillwalking in the Poisoned Glen last April. An adored husband and father, Brian was a well-known bus driver who loved nothing more than to spend his spare time in the great outdoors.
On 1st September, Brian’s son Caomhán and his partner Erin Smyth, along with Brian’s niece Orlagh McLaughlin and his nephews Aaron and Sean Starrs and Martin Creswell will take on the Waterside Half Marathon in his memory. Caomhán’s friends Adam Woodrow and John Paul Doohan will also run while Brian’s wife Donna and daughter Nicole will be there cheering on the team during their heartfelt memorial challenge.
All funds raised will be donated to the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team in gratitude for the care and compassionate support they gave to Brian and his best friend Tony on that fateful day on 20th April.
“It’s a very tragic situation that we all have to go through, but we wanted to give back to Donegal Mountain Rescue Team because they did so much for our family and Brian and his friend Tony,” Orlagh tells Donegal Daily.
“They spent 11 hours out there trying to get Brian back. It’s amazing the work that they did.”
Orlagh, who is based in Dublin, always had a close bond with her uncle.
“When we got the word that Brian was gone, myself and my family raced to Derry,” she said.
“The rescue team called out to my uncle’s house and talked the family through exactly what happened and how they supported Brian and how they supported Tony. They showed us empathy, everything was very calm and they couldn’t have done anything more for us.
“It’s unfortunate that tragedy like this makes us raise funds for such a worthy cause but we want to do anything we can to thank them for what they have done.”
Brian was there to congratulate Orlagh on the completion of the Derry 10 miler in March.
Orlagh, who is a keen runner, was always motivated by Brian who would send words of encouragement for whatever race or challenge lay ahead.
“It’s hard to see life without him,” Orlagh said.
“He was amazing at getting up first thing in the morning and going for the hikes. He and Tony, his best friend, would travel the world to hike in different places. They were due to go to the Pyrenees this June but unfortunately Brian passed in April. Tony went on behalf of the two of them.”
The Waterside Half Marathon will be a double challenge for the family on a physical and emotional level.
“When we cross the line there will be a bit of relief we have completed the run but there will also be a little bit of sadness as to why we are doing it,” Orlagh says,
“I always see races as something you are delighted to get over the line. This will be a different kind of celebration. We’ll toast a pint of Guinness to him and we’ll look back fondly on all the memories we have on that day.”
The team’s iDonate page has already raised over €5,500 for Donegal Mountain Rescue Team.
“We are just amazed at how much money we have raised. People are so generous,” Orlagh said.
“Many have been touched by the story and he is really missed.
“Brian was always smiling, always joking. He was a great dad and he and Donna were so giving of their time and love.”
As the training sessions continue, Orlagh adds: “All we want to do is raise awareness and funds for such a worthy cause. They are a volunteer group that gets no government funding but really helped our family and will continue to help our family.”
If you wish to support the Half-Marathon run in memory of Brian Campbell, please visit: www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/OrlaghMcLaughlin
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