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12th Apr 2016

Buncrana Tragedy Mum Louise Is Teaming Up With Hero Davitt Walsh In An Amazing Way

Davitt rescued baby Rioghnach-Ann from the accident which claimed the lives of her five family members.

Megan Cassidy

Louise James, who lost five family members in the Buncrana tragedy, is teaming up with hero Davitt Walsh who jumped into Lough Swilly to save her four-month-old daughter Rioghnach Ann.

The duo are set to complete the Belfast marathon together to help raise cash for a condition which her son Evan suffered from.

#TeamEvan has been organised by a family friend Tommy McCallion, and will raise much-needed funds for  Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Davitt

Davitt jumped into Lough Swilly to save baby Rioghnach Ann.

According to Belfast Live, Louise and Davitt will do a leg of the race along with over 100 more friends and family.

Former footballer Tommy explained;

“My son Tom was best friends with Evan and he knows I run marathons usually to raise money for the Foyle Hospice, so it was him who asked could I do one in memory of Evan.

“I said ok, and within about a week of starting to ask people we’ve got 125 people doing the relay and three people doing the full marathon.

“It’s just been incredible, the support we’re getting. I spoke to Louise and it was her who asked me to do it for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

“But she’s going to run it as well, as is Davitt Walsh, and I’ve organised it so Louise and Davitt and other family members who are taking part will be doing the final leg of their relays.

“It’s going to be such an emotional day, but I just hope something positive comes out of it in that the profile of Muscular Dystrophy is raised as well as some money for research into the condition.

“Louise and the charity have been great in helping getting this organised.

“It’s been a very tough time for Derry, but you can see that they’ve come together for this, people from Derry and from Donegal all wanting to get involved.

“We’re getting T-shirts printed at the minute and everyone will be wearing them on the day, so people won’t be running for their clubs or what ever, they’ll be running for Team Evan, so it’s going to be pretty powerful stuff to see all those people wearing the Muscular Dystrophy colours.”

The money raised through the marathon challenge will be donated to the Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund which is administered by the Muscular Dystrophy UK charity.