Parents of victim of Enagh Lough tragedy donate thousands to local rescue charity and NI Ambulance Service

The parents of Reuven Simon, one of the two young boys who sadly lost their lives at Enagh Lough earlier this year, have donated £1000 to both Foyle Search and Rescue and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian died after getting into difficulty at Enagh Lough on Monday 29 August this year.

The teenagers had been swimming at Lough Enagh when the tragic scenes unfolded. 

PSNI officers were called shortly after 6.25pm to reports of a number of people in difficulty in the water.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said a rapid response paramedic, five emergency crews, a hazardous area response team and an ambulance officer were dispatched.

NIAS also tasked the air ambulance to attend the bank holiday Monday incident.

One of the boys was taken from the water but sadly was later pronounced dead in hospital. The body of the second youngster was recovered late on Monday night following extensive searches by Foyle Search and Rescue and police divers.

At the time, the families of St Columb's students spoke of their heartbreak but thanked the community for their continued support in such ‘dark times’.

The community also rallied together to fundraise for the families at the time of the tragedy.

“These have been truly dark days but the community continues to be a source of light among the darkness," they said.

“We have drawn enormous strength, at this dark and difficult time, from the sympathy and support we have received from Derry and beyond and for that we will always be grateful. 

"It would be impossible to name individually all of you who have helped us but we do wish to put on record our appreciation and admiration of our emergency services and all those involved in the search, rescue and recovery operation for their courage and professionalism.

"Both Reuven and Joseph were beautiful, generous spirits - we will keep their memory alive by embodying that generosity of spirit, treating people with kindness and loving wholeheartedly."

Earlier this week, Reuven Simon's parents presented cheques of £1000 to the charities that helped with the efforts to help their son that day.

The family also donated £1000 to local charity, Foyle Search and Rescue 

Mark H Durkan MLA was also in attendance. He said: "I accompanied Joshy and Saly - three months after their tragic loss- to meet representatives of these great organisations and to acknowledge their heroic efforts on the day of the tragedy and their efforts to protect life every single day.

"Foyle Search and Rescue will use the money to improve safety at Enagh Lough.

"The families of Reuven and Joseph are so grateful to the people of Derry for their support, generosity and love and also for the fundraising efforts of Jean Rodgers and the overwhelming response from the local community.

"They hope this will help raise awareness and improve education to prevent more lives being lost and more families suffering."