The mother of five-year-old Oisin McGovern who tragically passed away just over a year ago has been overwhelmed by the generosity and support they received for a 5km charity run in December.

After battling a short illness, Oisin, from Derrylin, tragically passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019 surrounded by his loving and heartbroken parents, Declan and Joanne, and his wider family.

People from all over the world took part in the run last month to remember the bubbly and fun loving boy and helped his parents Joanne and Declan raise £47,000 for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice as they did it.

“It was like Oisin’s army all coming together for him,” explained Joanne.

“It is unbelievable. I just cant believe it. I don’t even know how we got there but obviously it is just the support.”

It was a frosty morning on December 6, when Joanne and Declan along with other hardy souls in Fermanagh ran or walked but they were joined by people from other parts of the world as well. And seeing all those who took part was heartening for Oisin’s parents.

“It was lovely to see as the pictures were coming through. It was so nice, there were people in Sydney, Canada the Middle East who had done it.

“I think Middle East and Australia had raging sunshine and they had to do it in 30 degrees heat but I think I’d rather have the cold weather.”

With the money on its way to the Children’s Hospice, Joanne says they “deserve every penny” for the support they have given the family over the last 12 months but she said even they were surprised at the amount they managed to raise.

“They couldn’t believe it. They were so shocked. It was something so simple and all we did was share [the event] and I think they were as shocked as we were.

“They are very grateful and thankful which is great from a big organisation. They are so lovely. And it is thanks for all hep they have given they definitely deserve every penny.”

Joanne paid tribute to all those who donated and took part in the run as well as those who have been a constant support to the family throughout the last year and made the run in his memory such a huge success.

And it shows just how loved Oisin was by all: “We have such a support group behind us, its amazing.

“And it was all to remember Oisin. It is just amazing the amount of support we got. It’s all for him, it’s in his memory and at the end of the day that’s what it was for and it was so humbling that everyone was out running in the freezing cold for him,” added Joanne.