A retired Northern Ireland teacher has just completed a month of fundraising walks in memory of a former pupil who was killed in a road traffic collision.
Kyra McKinley, 21, passed away in hospital in August 2018 two days after she was involved in a crash in Co Tyrone. Kyra passed away following the two-vehicle collision on Deverney Road in Omagh.
Seriously injured, she was flown by Air Ambulance from the scene near her home to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where she was placed on life support following emergency surgery. She died in intensive care two days later surrounded by her family.
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Since then her family, friends and local community have raised tens of thousands in her memory for Air Ambulance NI. The latest fundraiser is Joan Clements, 61, who taught Kyra at Omagh Integrated Primary School and took on the Step Up for Air Ambulance challenge throughout the month of January.
Since New Year's Day, the former primary school teacher has been walking 10,000 steps per day, as part of a NI-wide initiative to keep the lifesaving medical helicopters in our skies.
Joan told Belfast Live: “I decided in December that I would like to support Air Ambulance NI this January for two reasons. Firstly I live on a farm near a busy road so I am very aware of farm and traffic accidents which can occur with little warning. They say that first hour, the golden hour, of getting patients to a hospital can often be a lifesaver.
“Secondly, I am a retired teacher and when Kyra, one of my pupils was helped by AANI after a car accident, I was really affected by it. She subsequently died so I have been doing this in her memory because if AANI can help save a life then this was worth it.
“Kyra was such a lovely girl and one of those children you'd love to meet in the future and see what she made of her life. You just knew there was great potential there as she had so many lovely skills and a great attitude and character.
“Her death had a big impact on me. She was only slightly older than my two daughters and who wants to be the parents that gets that phone call some day? My heart went out to the McKinley family and the school community was devastated too.”
Having initially set out to raise £1,000, Joan has smashed that goal with over £2,000 raised. Over 17,000 steps later she completed the month-long walking challenge on Friday with the help of friends.
“Air Ambulance NI have a few different fundraisers including abseiling down the side of the Europa Hotel and parachuting from an aircraft but I decided it was probably best to opt for an activity that seemed safest and allowed me to keep my feet on the ground.
“It has been great walking every day and often accompanied by friends and family. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be and the weather has been kind too, even in January. Thanks to everyone who has donated, we have hopefully contributed to a life being saved!
“I know the money I raise, in terms of the cost of keeping the helicopters in the air, is only a drop in the ocean, but all these drops add up. I’d be very appreciative of any donations,” she added.
You can still donate to the fundraiser here.
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