Longford family raise €42,350 for suicide bereavement charity HUGG

A Longford family has raised €42,350 for suicide bereavement charity HUGG (Healing Untold Grief Groups).

In June of this year, the O’Hara family John, Johanna O’Hara and their two sons Oisín and Liam arranged a fundraising walk in memory of their eldest son Niall who died by suicide in March 2019, aged 20.

The walk followed the route from his home in Muckerstaff, Longford to Maynooth University, where Niall was an Arts student within both the Geography and Computer Science Department.

According to Johanna, “It is an experience will never forget. An opportunity to reconnect, have conversations, even difficult ones, made easier whilst surrounded by nature.”

She added, “There were lots of tears – some of sadness but also many tears of joy. In the words of our good friend Ryan Tubridy, who very kindly joined us one of the days ‘your walk is everything Covid wasn’t, human connection and big warm hugs'.”

Johanna went on to explain why they chose to donate to HUGG.

“HUGG has been our lifeline. We attend a HUGG group and have found healing in just being among others who understand our pain, those travelling the same reluctant road. The grief of losing Niall is not something that will magically go away. We are steadily learning to carry it. It is not easy, but HUGG is helping us.”

PICTURES | Amazing fundraiser sees people in Longford and across the globe Walk a Mile for Niall

Walk a Mile for Niall in memory of much loved north Longford student raises almost €50k for charity

The parents of a young north Longford man who tragically took his own life over three years ago have spoken of their hope at how a charity fundraiser which amassed almost €50,000 will help raise awareness and foster a wider debate on mental health.

Fiona Tuomey, Founder and CEO of HUGG, said, "This is an incredible donation to us from the O’Hara family. We feel truly honoured to accept this fiunding of €42,350.”

Ms Tuomey added, “This will help us to continue to provide free HUGG support groups nationwide.

“While we cannot ‘fix’ anyones’ grief after suicide, we know that HUGG groups provide hope and eventually some healing."

MAIN PHOTO CAPTION: John and Johanna O’Hara presenting a cheque for €42,350 to HUGG CEO Fiona Tuomey. The O’Hara family organised a Camino style charity walk in memory of their beloved eldest son Niall who died by suicide in 2019. The family chose to donate a portion of the proceeds to HUGG, a national suicide bereavement charity that provides peer support groups to people who have been bereaved by suicide. Left to right: Johanna O’Hara, Fiona Tuomey (HUGG CEO) and John O’Hara