Friends leaping into action in memory of Larne woman Clare

Clare McFaul passed away suddenly in August after suffering a bleed on the brain.

The 32-year-old, who changed the lives of five other people through the gift of organ donation, had herself suffered a stroke at the age of 11.

This left her with a weakness down her left hand side - but she never let the injury hold her back.

Clare’s sister, Joanne said: “The past few years she had been attending personal training sessions in Larne with Andrew Falconer, who specialises in training people with injuries. She gave it 100 percent and her mobility and strength improved massively.”

Now, a group of Clare’s friends at Just Active gym will be ‘box jumping’ the height of Slemish mountain in aid of NI Chest, Heart and Stroke.

Julie Mawhinney, Gillian Leetch-Armstrong, Michelle Falconer and Clare Canale are taking on the challenge, joined by other members and trainers at the gym.

“Between the four of us our aim is to have box jumped the height of Slemish at least twice next week. We would encourage other gyms to get involved,” Julie said.

“We are following all Covid restrictions and the challenge is set up to allow people to take part individually in a gym or at home.”

For more information or to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/boxjumpslemish