A woman who lost her husband, son and daughter in a drowning tragedy in Lough Foyle is to climb Africa’s highest mountain for charity.
Geraldine Mullan is planning a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, to raise funds for Derry’s Children in Crossfire charity in memory of her husband, John (49) and children Amelia (6) and Tomás (14).
Originally from Galway, Ms Mullan was the only survivor when her family’s car crashed into Lough Foyle while they were returning to their Moville home after a day out in Derry in August 2020.
When their bodies were recovered from the water, Amelia was found in the arms of her older brother, Tomás.
Since the tragedy, Ms Mullan has transformed the family’s former garden centre business in Moville into the ‘Mullan Hope Centre’ in their memory.
She is now planning the Kilimanjaro challenge to mark her 50th birthday next year, poignantly pointing out that it was a milestone her husband never got to see.
“What started as a beautiful family day out ended in unimaginable tragedy. My life changed in that instant and every day since has been a struggle as I come to terms with losing the three most important people in my life,” she said.
“They were all taken in their prime and so, in essence, I am now living for the four of us. My mantra is to cherish every moment and never lose hope.”
Ms Mullan has previously worked with Children in Crossfire charity, which was established by Derry man Richard Moore to help children in war zones.
She plans to undertake the challenge next February along with friend Katie Fitzpatrick, and both women have started training for the 19,340 ft climb.
“My cherished memories of John, Tomás and Amelia will carry me step-by-step up Kilimanjaro, just like they have carried me every day since August 2020,” Ms Mullan said.
A “just giving page” has been set up for the project at https://www.justgiving.com/page/children-in-crossfire-trekkingkili25.
