A Belcoo woman who has been raising awareness for organ donation following the tragic death of her son four years ago has become the first person from Fermanagh to be nominated for the Heart of Gold Awards NI.

Oisín McGrath was 13 years old when he died following a serious head injury during an incident in St. Michael’s College, Enniskillen in 2015.

Through the devastation and grief, his mother Sharon and father Nigel were determined to keep their son’s spirit alive and inspire others through his memory. And they did this by setting up the Oisín McGrath Foundation which promotes organ donation awareness, brain injury research and awareness and local youth sports development.

The Heart of Gold Awards NI is an event hosted by business support and online networking groups Mums at Work and Bizmerang.

And social networking businesses will gather to pay tribute to those who go the extra mile to help others.

Speaking about her nomination, Sharon said she knew nothing of the nomination at all.

“I was extremely surprised as I knew nothing about the nomination at all. The two ladies (Fiona Brazill and Eimear Grugan) kept their plans very quiet until after the draw had been made.

“As there has never been a Fermanagh nomination before, I had not heard of the Heart of Gold awards.

“Because it was such a surprise to me at first, I was really taken aback. “The work I do is not done by me alone, my husband Nigel and other family members are hugely involved in all the work of Oisín’s Foundation and indeed, Nigel is the main driver of OMG AC, the athletics club that we have formed in Oisín’s memory.

“I really feel that it that this award is a recognition of all of us.

“I am really humbled by the nomination and truly appreciative of the time that Fiona has taken to put me forward and the time and effort people are putting in to voting for me.

“We will never get over the loss of Oisín and the gap in our lives that we live with every day but Oisín will never be forgotten and will always be in the hearts and minds of so many.”

Sharon believes the nomination is an opportunity to highlight Oisín’s Foundation, the bursary awards that the Fermanagh Trust administer and to promote Organ Donation.

Five people were given the gift of life thanks to Oisín and they continue to encourage everyone to sign up to the Organ Donor register and to have this conversation with their families.

This year through the Fermanagh Trust, Oisín’s Foundation awarded bursaries to two talented individuals and three local clubs.

The Foundation brings opportunity to others alongside celebrating Oisín’s life and his love and commitment to sport.

The Heart of Gold Awards NI takes place on Saturday, March 2 in the Dunadry Hotel, County Antrim.

You can still vote for Sharon at https://www.quiz-maker.com/poll2256737x3F743a3A-65