‘Lowry Lifesaver’ fund is a Diamond idea - family

Ahoghill was left stunned and shocked by the sudden and untimely death of Steven Lowry last winter.

The 27-year-old who was captain of Ahoghill Rovers, passed away shortly after returning from training at the local football fields.

Steven also worked as a barman in Ahoghill’s Diamond Bar and got into rock music courtesy of the renowned Diamond Rock Club which is based there.

“When he died in November, they wanted to do something for him and they held a Rock Night on Saturday to raise money in the Club,” his mum, Karen, explained.

It was an outstanding success, raising a staggering £3,200, which the Lowry family are keen to see put back into the village that their son loved so much.

Said Karen: “Money in lieu of flowers after Steven’s death, over £2,000, went to CRY (Cardiac Risk in Youth), an English based charity.

“His fiancee, Kathryn, picked CRY because Steven died of a heart attack at 27 and was very fit and we thought it was appropriate.

“But we feel that this £3,200 raised at the Rock Club should be put back into the community because Steven loved Ahoghill”.

His dad, David added: “We want to raise awareness that this could happen to anyone and to use it to maybe buy a piece of medical equipment like a defibrilator for the community centre or get people trained in CPR or players scanned.

“At this minute we don’t really know what the money will go on but we know it will be for the community.

“Kathryn did CPR on Steven until the ambulance came but it was amazing how many people who I spoke to afterwards said ‘I wouldn’t know how to do that’.

“If we had people trained or a defibrilator at the community centre and something happened we could maybe save someone’s life or prolong it. That is what we want to do.

“We don’t know exactly how much a machine like that will cost but £3,200 will go a long way. And, if we need to raise more money then we’ll do that,” he said.

Steven’s parents extended their sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who helped raise that fantastic sum - Fiona and Derwin McFarland of The Rock Club, all those who went along on the night and everyone else who supported the fundraiser in any way.