KIERAN McAree’s body was discovered in Lough Erne in February 2015 nine weeks after he went missing in a death that united the people of Fermanagh and Monaghan where he was from. 
Through heartache came strength and determination from his family and friends in Emyvale as they embarked on raising money for charity in his memory following his death. 
This year’s fundraising endeavour will see a group of his friends, still grieving the loss of the popular 23 year old, climbing Scotland’s highest mountain Ben Nevis on May 19.
Seán Ryan McCaffrey says the event will celebrate Kieran’s life and raise money for SOSAD (Save our Sons and Daughters), an independent mental health charity helping those impacted by suicide and depression. 
“The aim of the challenge is to climb the highest mountain from each of the three UK countries in 24 hours. Once we set foot on Ben Nevis the clock will start and from there we will proceed to Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales.
“This journey will involve 900 kilometres travelled by bus, 42 kilometres climbed, 16,000 feet ascended and descended and all of which done during a 24 hour time period,” he said.
Prior to his death, Kieran worked closely with SOSAD raising over €7,000 for the charity.
Meanwhile fundraising for the Ben Nevis challenge continues with a big breakfast morning to be held on May 13 in which Kieran’s family and friends and those taking part in the challenge will serve up Irish breakfasts. In particular, they are keen to invite the very many volunteers who helped search Lough Erne for Kieran’s body for those long and painful 64 days.
“The concept is simple, funds are raised through ticket sales with all of the breakfasts being donated by local businesses. Holding such an event in memory of Kieran offers an opportunity for many people involved in the search to reconnect. 
“This offers the friends and family of Kieran, who were fed and watered by the good people of Fermanagh for 64 days including Christmas Day to return the favour. 
“We would really like to extend an invite out to the people of Fermanagh to support this event,” said Mr. McCaffrey.
The big breakfast will be held at Scarna Inn in Emyvale, Co. Monaghan on May 13 (8am to 12.30pm). More information about the breakfast morning, donations and the training ahead of the challenge can be found on Facebook by searching One Day Three Peaks: Mounting the stigma in aid of SOSAD.