Moira man remembered at special memorial event

The special memorial event was held last Thursday night December 27 at the Four Trees in Moira.

21-year-old Craig Lewsley was a ‘shy’ yet ‘popular’ third year medical student at Queen’s University who was killed in a two vehicle collision on November 21 on the Moneynick Road.

During the night there was a ballot which raised money for not only a memorial bench but there are plans for a special Craig Lewsley Award that will be presented to pupils at his former Friends School and a plaque. They raised just over £1000 altogether from wristband sales, the raffle and some very kind donations from close friends and family.

The event was organised by his brother Glenn and his girlfriend of over a year Jane Chittick who lives in Dromore.

“Glenn and I decided to organise the event because a lot of people could not come over for the funeral and we knew that a lot of people were disappointed that they could not get home from university and we thought it would be a special way for many to pay their respects an to stir up any memories they have of Craig,” she said.

She said that money raised from the ballot they decided should go towards setting up a bench and plaques erected in the Four Trees and the Bot.

There was also a special scrap book for people to write down any fond memories they have of Craig which was given to his parents.

Jane remembers her boyfriend as someone who was ‘very lively’ and ‘loved a laugh.’

“He never boasted about being a doctor,” she said. “He never said I’m going to be a doctor. It was more of a way for him to help people which was what he liked doing and which was the sort of person he was.

“He was very kind and loved going to visit his granny. He would always go out of his way to help others put himself out and to help others. Craig was very well liked and anyone who knew him loved him. It was a night for many people to remember such a lovely person.”

The friends and family have opened a pay pal account and are selling wrist bands. Anyone who would like to make a donation can go onto PayPal and make a payment to [email protected]