A Northern Ireland cancer survivor has won a year’s worth of free flights thanks to a heartwarming video of her reuniting with her daughter after a marathon hike to raise money for charity.
Gemma McMullan, 36, captured the hearts of voters with the touching video of her reunion with her five-year-old daughter, Mara, at Belfast International Airport following a gruelling charity hike in the Indian Himalayas.
In 2022, Gemma was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that required intensive treatment. Determined to turn her experience into a positive impact, she trained for 10 months to take on a 100km trek through the Indian Himalayas.
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Over nine days, Gemma and her team hiked for up to 11 hours a day, raising an incredible £11,000 for CoppaFeel!, a charity dedicated to breast cancer awareness and early detection.
Despite the physical and emotional toll of the journey, the most difficult challenge for Gemma was being away from Mara for the longest time they had ever been apart. Due to the remote nature of the hike, there was no opportunity to contact her family.
Gemma, originally from Inverness but now based in NI, has just won Loganair’s A Season of Connections competition, earning a year of free flights for herself and a companion.
Gemma said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this competition, but my biggest prize was the reunion with Mara at the airport after such a long and challenging trek.
“The hike tested me in ways I never thought possible, but it also showed me how much strength and resilience we have when we work together.
“This prize means so much to me because family has been my biggest source of support throughout my cancer journey. Now I’ll have the opportunity to visit loved ones more often and make more unforgettable memories.”
Lyn MacDonald, head of marketing and brand at Loganair, said Gemma’s story is one of incredible strength and resilience, and shows the power of connecting with our loved ones.
She added: “Her video captures the spirit of what our campaign is all about: celebrating those heartfelt moments that bring us together, even in the face of challenges. It’s wonderful that we can play a part in allowing Gemma to reconnect with the people who matter most to her.”
The two runners-up, Graham Stevenson from Edinburgh and Deirdre Mahon from Derry, will also receive tickets to fly on Loganair’s renowned Glasgow to Barra service, which famously lands on the beach.
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