FOR the family of brave and fearless Kirsty Clarke, learning to live with their tragic loss has been slightly eased by the knowledge that so much good work is being done in her memory.

Despite her health setbacks Kirsty became a local inspiration because of her determination to live life to the full. She had been handed a second chance in life in 2009 when, at the age of 11, she received a heart transplant.

But she sadly died in January of this year.

In a fitting tribute to the Lisnaskea girl, she was giving a posthumous ‘Fight Spirit’ award by the British Heart Foundation earlier this year, recognising how, despite her congenital heart disease, Kirsty, and indeed her family, have used her experience as a ‘force for good’.

In a quest to celebrate Kirsty’s zest for life, her father, Alan, mother, Sharon, sister Zara and the wider family circle, have plunged themselves into a remarkable fundraising effort over the last seven months, resulting in over £15,700 being raised for the various organisations who offered support to Kirsty throughout her all too short life.

The director of Heartbeat NI, Irwyn McKibben and his wife, Carol, entered Kirsty for the award. Her name, along with other nominees went forward to a public vote.

On the day of the awards ceremony Kirsty’s parents had no idea that their beautiful daughter had won until her name was officially announced.

It was a bittersweet occasion for the Clarke family, particularly because organisers told them afterwards that Kirsty had the overwhelming majority of the votes.

The huge sum of money raised in Kirsty’s name will now be her legacy.
Her family have spent the last seven months fundraising for Diabetes UK, Heartbeat NI, South West Acute Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital and Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, where Kirsty received her transplant and have also presented Aghavea Parish Church with a defibrillator in her name too.

Her two former schools, Moat Primary and Lisnaskea High, have fundraised in her memory. Timothy Elliott opened his beautiful home and garden to the public in April and raised £1,000 for Heartbeat NI through a coffee morning.

A thanksgiving service organised by South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) raised £1,090 for Diabetes UK, Freemans Hospital and Heartbeat NI.

Various cupcake sales have also contributed to the final total but the largest fundraising effort was as a result of a number of family members and friends taking on the Belfast Marathon, which raised over £10,000.

Looking to the future Sharon and the family are as determined as ever to keep Kirsty’s name alive by supporting the organisations which made such a huge difference to their lives.

“We would like to thank everyone who donated, voted for Kirsty and gave very generously to all our charities in memory of our precious daughter, Kirsty,” says Sharon.

A Craft Fair and Cake Sale is planned for October 7 in Lisnaskea Church Hall. This will be in aid of the Freeman Transplant Fund.

“Anyone who wants a craft table, please get in touch,” says Sharon.
Meanwhile, on February 17 next year, a memory night is being organised in the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown with Ritchie Remo.

This event will be in aid of the three hospitals which had such a huge impact on Kirsty’s life; Royal Victoria Hospital, South West Acute and Freeman Hospital.