A fitting tribute to Clare

A two day sponsored walk, Clare’s Causeway Challenge, organised in memory of the late Clare Barclay at the weekend to raise money for local charity Aware Defeat Depression, was a fantastic success.

The walk took in the breathtaking coastal scenery from the Giant’s Causeway to Portstewart and, at 30 rugged miles over two days, was not for the faint hearted.

Almost 200 local people, many of them friends and family of Clare, were up for the challenge, which raised more than £4,000 for the charity.

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Alison Smyth, Head of PR and Fundraising at Aware Defeat Depression, said “This was a moving tribute to Clare and we are very grateful to her family and to all those who took part in the walk, for raising this fantastic sum.

“We are also grateful to them for the awareness they have raised of depression which is an illness that affects one in four of us.”

Family spokesperson, Stevie O Neill, said “The event exceeded our expectations as did the weather which was pretty good, even though the forecast was for torrential rain.

“I would like to thank all those who took part in our walk for Clare, and to the businesses who donated raffle prizes for us.

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“In particular I would like to thank Gary Tosh and his wife Helen, who helped us to organise the walk in such a professional manner and the Causeway School, who generously gave the School as a registration point and refreshment centre for all of our walkers.”

Clare’s husband and father of two, David, who took part in the walk echoed Stevie’s sentiments: “Clare would have been delighted to see so many people coming out to walk along one of her favourite paths this weekend, and for such a good cause.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped make this unique event so successful and such a fitting tribute to Clare’s memory.”

The event finished with a balloon release and barbecue for all who took part.

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Aware Defeat Depression has a support group that meets at the Lodge Hotel in Coleraine every first and third Tuesday of the month.

The group is free and offers a warm welcome and support to anyone who needs help with depression. For more information about the services the charity provides, go to www.aware-ni.org or call their helpline on 08451 20 29 61.