THE mother of a Trillick man who took his own life earlier this year has described how she was at peace in the clouds with her son as she took part in a sky dive in his memory.

Geraldine Maguire has spoken previously of how she felt “powerless” in her attempts to seek professional help for her 24-year-old son, Damian.

After his death she was determined to raise awareness and funding for the counselling service provided at the Aisling Centre in Enniskillen.

She, along with Damian’s siblings, Claire, Catherine and Joe, girlfriend, Kathy and good friend, Fergal Corrigan, took part in the sky dive as a tribute to a man who was always up for a laugh.

The localgiving, ‘Team Damo’, set up in Damian’s name, has raised £5,172 in generous donations.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week, Geraldine says she has been overwhelmed by the response.

“He was a popular man,” she said, “People have latched on to the fundraising who wouldn’t even know us at all. But their personal and thoughtful comments on the local giving page showed us that they have been affected by suicide in some way.

“Sometimes I think his death hasn’t really hit me yet. I decided to do something in his memory and that gave me a focus.

“People thought I would never do the sky dive. But when it came down to it, it was the most brilliant day.” According to Geraldine, Damian was always the life and soul of any party.

“He would have been laughing his leg off at us,” she said, “I could just hear the cackles of him when we were getting ready to go up.

“It was a fun day, and that’s just how I want to remember Damian too.” Geraldine had been apprehensive about the sky dive.

“I was expecting to be terrified and screaming. But I had a great sense of peace up there.

“When you look up at the sky and see the clouds you think you would love to be up in them.

“Well, I was among the clouds that day. It was so quiet and so peaceful. I talked to him on the way down. I had brought rose petals up with me to scatter as I was doing the sky dive.

“I thought to myself, if this is what heaven is like you wouldn’t ever want to come down again. I would love to do it again.” The mother of four says she has concerns that suicide is becoming more commonplace in society today, “Damian always had a smile, but that masked something deeper.

“My fear would be that it becomes the norm. Young men need to know there is someone out there they can talk to. They should not be afraid to show their emotions. It is not a sign of weakness.

“Society gives us the impression that it is, but it’s not.

“I think attitudes in that regard are changing, thank God. I find people are more willing to talk about sucide now and its after effects -- the turmoil that is left behind, and the people that are left behind. I wouldn’t ever want that to become the norm.” Team Damo’s local giving page will close on Monday.

But according to Geraldine, the fundraising and awareness drive will not end there.

“You never get over the loss of a child. But if I can do a wee but of good, even if it only helps one person it’s something positive. I have great family, neighbours, friends and colleagues.

“They have all been a tower of strength for me.

“After the sky dive and the fundraising, my overriding feelings are that I am humbled, I am grateful and I am proud. Proud of my son and his memory and proud of my other children too.”