A heartwarming video of a Belfast woman reuniting with her daughter after a marathon hike to raise money for charity has been named as a finalist in an airline competition.
The video shows the moment breast cancer survivor Gemma McMullan, who moved to Northern Ireland from Inverness, is reunited with her five-year-old daughter Mara at Belfast International Airport after a gruelling 100km charity hike across the Indian Himalayas.
The nine-day trek saw her raise an incredible £11,000 for the breast cancer charity, having been diagnosed with an aggressive form of the cancer in 2022.
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Gemma’s husband arranged to surprise her at the airport as the mountain hike meant she was unable to contact her family due to time differences and lack of phone signal, which made the 11-hours of hiking a day even more difficult. Inspired by the airline’s heartwarming Christmas advert, Loganair, Actually, the competition asked entrants from across the UK to submit an image or video that captures a heartwarming moment of connection with their loved ones.
As a finalist for Loganair’s A Season of Connections competition, Gemma and two other entrants have the chance to win a year’s worth of free flights for herself and a companion on Loganair’s extensive network, while two runners-up will be treated to return flights for two on the airline’s iconic Glasgow to Barra route, which famously lands on the beach.
Gemma said: "This hike was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. Training for ten months and hiking for 11 hours a day in the Himalayas tested me physically and emotionally, but the team spirit kept us going.
"It was tough being away from Mara for the longest time we’ve ever been apart, especially with no phone signal or chance to speak. Reuniting with her at the airport was a moment I’ll never forget, and I hope that one day, Mara can look back on the video of our special reunion with pride."
Lyn MacDonald, head of marketing and brand at Loganair, said Gemma’s video and story are "shining examples of what A Season of Connections is all about: celebrating the heartfelt moments that bring people together".
"Her determination and the emotional reunion with her daughter perfectly capture the spirit of connection that our Loganair, Actually campaign represents," Lyn added.
"It has been a pleasure to see such incredible entries showcasing the joy and resilience that come with these reunions."
Public voting for the finalists is now open and will run until midnight on Wednesday, January 22 2025. The winner will be announced on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
Loganair’s extensive network includes flights across the UK and beyond, making it easier than ever to connect with loved ones. The airline’s baggage allowance of up to 21kg (15kg hold allowance plus 6kg carry on bag) ensures passengers can bring gifts and essentials "without worry".
Passengers flying from Inverness and Belfast City can explore a diverse range of destinations. From Inverness, travellers can enjoy direct flights to cities like Belfast, Manchester, and Birmingham, or head further afield to Bergen and Newquay. Meanwhile, passengers departing from Belfast City can connect to Scottish destinations such as Inverness, Aberdeen, and Stornoway, as well as routes to Bristol, Norwich, and beyond.
With its growing network, Loganair provides convenient travel options for both leisure and business travellers across the UK and Europe. To vote for Gemma visit the Loganair Facebook page.
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