Child’s death inspires Dunmurry grandad

Watching friends lose a much-loved grand-daughter tugged the heart-strings of well-known sportsman Jackie MacManus.
Jackie MacManus hands over a cheque for £4,500 to Catherine O'Hara, community appeals organiser, NI Children's Hospice. The 67-year-old Dunmurry man raised the money by completing the 500-mile Camino Way walk in Spain. INNT 45-104-GRJackie MacManus hands over a cheque for £4,500 to Catherine O'Hara, community appeals organiser, NI Children's Hospice. The 67-year-old Dunmurry man raised the money by completing the 500-mile Camino Way walk in Spain. INNT 45-104-GR
Jackie MacManus hands over a cheque for £4,500 to Catherine O'Hara, community appeals organiser, NI Children's Hospice. The 67-year-old Dunmurry man raised the money by completing the 500-mile Camino Way walk in Spain. INNT 45-104-GR

“There and then I decided I had to do something to help my friends and others cope with the heartache of losing a child,” said the 67 year grandad from Dunmurry.

Jackie’s decision to do “something” would have daunted most of us. But for the retired PE teacher it was merely another challenge, after all, he had guided Down to success in the Dr McKenna GAA championship. The fit as a fiddle pensioner who defies the OAP label spent his entire career at St Patrick’s College, Antrim Road, Belfast, and now spends a lot of his time grappling with a failing desire to reduce his golf handicap at Fortwilliam club.

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This spring his golf clubs got a rest while he got into strict training to prepare his aging body for the ultimate challenge - the renowned 500-mile Camino Way walk in Spain in the footsteps of travellers since medieval times.

His gruelling trek began on June 18 in the French Pyrenees and averaging 100 miles a week he made it as planned to emerge foot-sore and weary into the famous square in Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

While Jackie was testing his body and will, friends back home were busy canvassing acquaintances and family members for contributions to his chosen charity - the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

The spontaneous generosity was overwhelming and when Jackie returned home he, too, was humbled by the thoughtfulness of people who approached him in the street with contributions.

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“It was a lesson in humanity and caring for those less fortunate than the rest of us and that is something I will never forget,” he said as he presented a cheque for £4,500 to Ms. Catherine O’Hara, of the Children’s Hospice.

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