Colleagues raise funds for charity in memory of Stuart

A fundraiser in memory of Carrickfergus firefighter Stuart Hilditch has generated over £1000 for charity.
Stuart's father, David and son Jack join NIFRS colleagues to present a cheque to Friends of the Cancer Centre.Stuart's father, David and son Jack join NIFRS colleagues to present a cheque to Friends of the Cancer Centre.
Stuart's father, David and son Jack join NIFRS colleagues to present a cheque to Friends of the Cancer Centre.

Colleagues presented a cheque for £1016 to Friends of the Cancer Centre earlier this month following a climb up Slieve Donard before Christmas.

Stuart, 38, passed away in September last year following a courageous battle with illness.

Having joined the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in 2005, the father of three was also a well-known local footballer.

Stuart Hilditch.Stuart Hilditch.
Stuart Hilditch.

Brian Smyth, Watch Commander at Carrickfergus Fire Station said: "We are a family here and when Stuart took ill, he had to come out of work, so we did everything we could to support him through his illness.

"Friends of the Cancer Centre were very good to Stuart so after he passed away, we wanted to do something to raise money for them in his memory."

The Slieve Donard trek took place on December 7, with two colleagues completing the challenge in full firefighting kit. "One even did the climb in his breathing apparatus," Brian added.

Last November, members of Stuart's family also donated £1300 to Friends of the Cancer Centre.

The money was raised in lieu of flowers following the Carrick man's funeral.