By Lisa Ramsden
THE family of an “amazing little boy”, who are still coming to terms with the heartbreak of his death earlier this year, are organising a fundraising event in his memory.
Eleven-year-old John Doole died following an accident close to his home, on the outskirts of Kilkeel, in February.
Now, his big sister Katie, her parents and siblings, are setting out to raise as much money as possible for the Air Ambulance NI charity.
Working in tandem with Mourne Vintage Club, the route for the event, which will set off from Kilkeel on Saturday 1 August, is currently being finalised.
Following the tragedy John was described by local minister, Rev William Bingham, as “a special son, whose life was overflowing with kindness, love and generosity”.
He became a cherished part of the Cousins household when he was just 18 months-old.
Katie is encouraging people to take part in this summer’s tractor and truck run “in loving memory of John”.
She has also established a GoFundMe page and donations are flooding in. To date, over £1,200 has already been given online.
She said the event to raise funds for Air Ambulance NI “means a lot” to her family.
“Our lives were shattered when we lost John in a tragic road traffic collision,” she said.
“A day that began like any other turned into the worst day of our lives — the day everything changed, the day our hearts broke in a way that will never fully heal.”
Anyone who would like to make a donation can do so by going to www.gofundme.com and searching for ‘John Doole Katie Killen’.
More details on August’s event will be provided in due course, and via the ‘Tractor/Truck run in loving memory of John Doole’ page on Facebook.
