A Derry schoolgirl is raising money for a bench dedicated to a former classmate who died in the Buncrana Pier tragedy.
Jodie-Lee Daniels died along with four members of her family last month when their car went into the water from the pier’s slipeway..
The 14-year-old had been a pupil at St Mary’s College and was popular among her fellow students.
Sean McGrotty and his two sons, Mark and Evan, the boys’ grandmother, Jodie-Lee and her mother Ruth, died on Sunday, March 20 when their car entered the water after slipping on algae on the pier’s slipway..
Since the tragedy, the people of Derry and Donegal have hosted scores of charity events in aid of the family, with two online appeals having to date raised almost £85,000.
Now, a former class mate of Jodie-Lee’s will embark on a charity paddle on the River Foyle this weekend,startubg at Prehen Boathouse and finishing at Culmore Point.
Sarah Bonner (pictured), who has been a member of the Foyle Paddlers Club for the past two years, will use the funds raised for a permanent memorial bench at the school.
Speaking to the Derry News yesterday, the 14-year-old said that she wanted to something ‘positive’ in memory of her classmate.
“Jodie-Lee was in my form class, and everyone was really affected by what happened, it was just awful,” Sarah said.
“I just wanted to do something positive in her memory, and hopefully get the bench.”
She added the bench would be made of a special type of all-weather wood, adding that people would also be able to engrave their own memories.
Sarah’s mother, Sonia, spoke of the impact the loss of her classmate had on her daughter.
“Sarah was very friendly with Jodie-Lee, and it has been tough on her,” she said.
“After what happened, Sarah didn’t want to go back into the water as she was scared, but a couple of her coaches helped be build up her confidence again, and she’s been back out there twice now.
“We’re very proud of her as she’s doing this herself, because she wanted to have a permanent memorial to Jodie-Lee.”
Sarah will depart from Prehen Boathouse at 12 midday, and hopes to arrive at Culmore Point two hous later.
Meanwhile, a charity match in aid of the family will take place this Sunday at 2.00pm in Ardmoe, where the Derry City Legends will take on a team of Northern Ireland Legends.
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