Oisín McGrath would have celebrated his 20th birthday last Wednesday but while he is no longer alive, his legacy and memory are as strong as ever thanks to those who loved him.

Monday, February 9, 2015, was a day that changed everything for Sharon and Nigel McGrath, their daughters Ciana and Caireann and the entire family circle and friends when Oisín suffered a fatal injury when at school at St. Michael’s College.

From this tragic time grew something special as his memory was carried on through the creation of the Oisín McGrath Foundation as well as annual sporting events to remember him.

Consent for organ donation

With Oisín’s family giving consent for his organs to be donated, organ donation became one of the three strands of the Foundation formed in his memory.

Organ Donation Week is running from September 20-26 while MLAs also debated changes around the opt-out system in Northern Ireland this week.

Oisín’s mother Sharon welcomed the passing of the soft opt-out system at its second stage in the Assembly: “We really hope that the fast track this legislation is now on, continues to be progressed by all parties. This legislation is about saving lives and gives hope to many families who have loved ones waiting on a donor organ.

“Alongside legislation, we feel that education is key and that we all need to have the conversation with our families and as a country to include organ donation as part of the primary, post-primary and third-level education programmes.”

As well as raising awareness around organ donation, there are so many other ways Oisín continues to touch people and be remembered by explains Sharon.

“We are honoured and heartened by how much he still means to people and how they never forget.

“This week alone we have had a donation presented by Oisín’s old primary school, St. Columban’s Belcoo for a Jersey Day fundraiser they carried out for the Foundation. St. Michael’s have held two running events on September 15 (Oisín’s birthday) and September 22, organised by Oisín’s cross country coach Francie Shaw; and OMG AC member Natasha McManus who is a past graduate of our C25K programme will run the Galway marathon on October 2 for STOP suicide and Oisín’s Foundation.

“Natasha is an inspiration to all of us and she keeps Oisín close to her heart with every step that she runs.”

All these events promote the Foundation and allow people to promote the conversation around organ donation said Sharon before adding: “They also allow us to give back to the local sporting community that Oisín was very much part of and this year’s OMG bursaries have supported a wide range of sports: hurling, Gaelic, football, rugby, wrestling, golf, rowing and triathlon.”

And as a family, Oisín is still very much part of it says Sharon.

“We have three children, not two. He is included in every birthday, wedding and celebration we have as well as the sad times too.

“There are many ways each of us as a family celebrates his life but a big one this year was when Nigel sponsored the local ladies underage Gaelic team, by purchasing new jerseys for them. The jerseys have been specially designed and Oisín’s handprints are incorporated into the sleeve of the jersey. Guiding hands for his sisters and all the members of the team.”

It would be hard to not picture what Oisín’s life would be like if things had been different around times like this. Already a big lad at 13, Sharon can imagine him towering over the family as he made his way through life.

“We think he would be in Belfast or maybe Liverpool with his friends at uni studying and partying too but coming home at the weekends to family and football.

Proud of legacy

Reflecting on the legacy he has left Sharon said: “We think he would probably be proud but a little shy about the legacy he has left behind and hopefully he would see how very much we love him and always will.”

Describing the loss of a child to someone who has not experienced it is impossible Sharon said but keeping their memory alive is so important: “We are so grateful that people still talk to us about Oisín. We still hear new stories about him that we hadn’t heard before and we love that.

“We also love and get great comfort in what Oisín still means to his friends as they now move through university and through their own sporting achievements too. We know he is not forgotten and while it doesn’t change things for us, it genuinely means so much.”

The Foundation set up in Oisín’s memory continues to develop and will be hoping to develop awareness around Brain Injury in 2022 including one punch and concussion education while a virtual run is also in the pipeline.

And to round off Organ Donation Week, Oisín’s family and members of the OMG AC will be joining Specialist Nurses for Organ Donation and ending the week on a high as they trek the Stairway to Heaven to remember all the amazing donors and their families and celebrate the hope of organ donation that comes from the saddest of circumstances through heroes like Oisín.