Relatives of the victims of the Buncrana pier tragedy are taking part in Sunday week’s Waterside Half Marathon to raise vital funds for the Lough Swilly RNLI.
Sean McGrotty, his two young sons, Mark and Evan, their grandmother, Ruth Daniels, and her teenage daughter, Jodie-Lee - all from Derry - drowned when their Audi Q7 car slipped off Buncrana pier into Lough Swilly on 30 March last
A Donegal man who risked his own life to rescue the only survivor was recognised for his bravery.
Davitt Walsh swam out in an attempt to help the family, managing to rescue four-month-old Rioghnach-Ann McGrotty whose mother, Louise, hailed him a hero in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Along with his girlfriend, Stephanie Knox, he was honoured at a star-studded Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland awards ceremony.
Now, relatives of those who lost their lives in the tragedy are to run the Waterside Half Marathon to raise funds for the Lough Swilly RNLI in recognition of the role its volunteers played on the night.
Sharon Ferry, Selina McCafferty and Tony Zammitt will take part in the relay event while John Ferry and Bronagh Halpenny will take part individually.
Sharon, a niece of Sean and a cousin of young Mark and Evan, has set up a fundraising page online.
On it, she says: “We are taking part in the Waterside Half Marathon to raise vital funds for the Lough Swilly RNLI.
“Without their quick response on the night of 20th March 2016 we may have had a much longer wait to lay our family members to rest.
“We will be forever indebted to them for that night.”
To donate, visit the Ferrys Waterside Half Marathon Page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sharon-Ferry
You can also donate by texting shas98 and the amount to 70070.
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