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Buncrana pier tragedy: Louise James recognised for her fundraising efforts in honour of son

The Derry woman who lost five members of her family in a tragic accident at Buncrana Pier in Co Donegal earlier this year has been recognised for her fundraising efforts in honour of one of her sons.

Louise James' sons Mark (12) and Evan (8), her partner Sean, her mother Ruth and her teenage sister Jodie-Lee, drowned in Lough Swilly when the vehicle they were in slid off the pier of the seaside town in March.

The only survivor, four-month-old baby Ríoghnach, was saved by passerby Davitt Walsh.

At a young age Evan had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and since the tragedy Louise has devoted her energies to raising money in his memory for the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.

She has campaigned to raise public awareness of the charity's work and has been part of a marathon-running team named #TeamEvan.

To date, her efforts have raised more than £15,000 for the charity and helped it change the lives of young people like Evan.

She has been confirmed as the winner of the ITV Fundraiser Award for Northern Ireland in the 2016 Pride of Britain Awards..

She will will be invited to the star-studded awards ceremony which takes place at the end of the month, and as a regional finalist could go on to be the overall winner on the night.

Photo shows Louise taking part in the Belfast Marathon in aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 07825 711978. Or you can email john.gill@derrynews.net at any time.


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