Lowry Trust effort is '˜an inspiration to all'

The Memorial Trust set up by the Lowry family to raise funds for community defibrilators is 'inspirational' a local councillor has said.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Feb 2016, 20:38 BST
Updated 18th Feb 2016, 20:39 BST
Ongoing work of Trust is praised. Gareth and David Lowry pictured last year presenting Ahoghill Thistle players Alan Moore and Gary Tennant, and Ahoghill Rovers players Chris Duff and Derek Livingstone, with defibrillators on behalf of the Stephen Lowry Memorial Trust. Now the Trust is donating a defibrillator to the Dr. John Mckelvey Community Centre. (Editorial Image)Ongoing work of Trust is praised. Gareth and David Lowry pictured last year presenting Ahoghill Thistle players Alan Moore and Gary Tennant, and Ahoghill Rovers players Chris Duff and Derek Livingstone, with defibrillators on behalf of the Stephen Lowry Memorial Trust. Now the Trust is donating a defibrillator to the Dr. John Mckelvey Community Centre. (Editorial Image)
Ongoing work of Trust is praised. Gareth and David Lowry pictured last year presenting Ahoghill Thistle players Alan Moore and Gary Tennant, and Ahoghill Rovers players Chris Duff and Derek Livingstone, with defibrillators on behalf of the Stephen Lowry Memorial Trust. Now the Trust is donating a defibrillator to the Dr. John Mckelvey Community Centre. (Editorial Image)

Councillor Paul Maguire was speaking at last week’s meeting of Mid & East Antrim Council’s Community Planning Committee, of which he is chair and at which members unanimously approved the latest donation of a defibrilator from The Steven Lowry Memorial Trust for the Dr John McKelvey Community Centre in Cullybackey.

The family of Ahoghill man, Steven Lowry, who collapsed and died in 2011 aged 27 as a result of a sudden heart attack after sport training have since donated numerous defibrillators in his memory which have been stationed in areas popular with sports teams and community groups.

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Volunteers have been trained in the use of the defibrillators each of which is accompanied by a plaque in memory of Steven.

Ald. Stewart McDonaldAld. Stewart McDonald
Ald. Stewart McDonald

Bringing details of the Trust’s latest donation to councillors, Cr Maguire said: “It is an absolutely inspirational Trust.

“We have all been bereaved. Sometimes it is easier to put it to the back of your mind but the Lowry family have taken their son and all he stood for and his name and worked for the betterment of all the community. Their aim is to safeguard the lives of all the citizens in the borough.”

Proposing that the Committee approve acceptance of the donation for Cullybackey Community Centre, Cr Timothy Gaston described it as “great news for Cullybackey” “It’s great to have them (the Lowry family) and to see the tireless fundraising they do,” said Cr Gaston who proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to the family from Council on behalf of the ratepayers of Mid & East Antrim.

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Seconding his proposal, Cr Tommy Nicholl, who pointed out that he was related to the Lowry family, said: “The whole family is delighted to be able to put something back into the community.”

Ald. Stewart McDonaldAld. Stewart McDonald
Ald. Stewart McDonald

Alderman Stewart McDonald from Steven’s home village of Ahoghill said the praise for the trust was ‘thoroughly deserved’.

“People across the Borough are aware of the amazing work of the Steven Lowry Memorial Trust who are seeking to place defibrillators in community centres where they one day may save a life.

“I am humbled to have been able to play a small part in putting the Dr John McKelvey Cullybackey Community Centre in touch with the Lowry family. The legacy of Steven’s death is that others will have access to these life-saving machines - the Lowry family do us all proud.”