The life of Ciarán Murphy will be remembered once again when his family from across Fermanagh and beyond will take part in the Fermanagh Endurance Activity Race (FEARmanagh) taking place in and around Derrygonnelly this Saturday, September 25.

Indeed, it will be a poignant occasion for the Murphy family as this year's FEAR event coincides with the NHS Organ Donation week. Ciarán who had Cystic Fibrosis passed away in July 2014 while waiting on a second double lung transplant.

Ciarán's dad Conrad explained: "My son Ciarán passed away in July 2014 while waiting on a second double lung transplant. In some ways my family are in a unique position as we have experienced the life transforming event that a transplant brings but also the tragedy of a loved one dying whilst waiting for a transplant.

"It is difficult to adequately put into words the difference that transplant made to Ciarán. By May 2009 life was a real struggle and even the most basic of everyday tasks seemed like a battle. He often used to joke that even getting out of bed in the mornings required him to lie down again!

"Having a transplant gave Ciarán a second chance in life. A chance to travel, a chance to work, a chance to return to studying, a chance to play some sport, the chance to meet his future wife, and importantly a chance to be rid of the long list of medication and treatment he needed to manage his Cystic Fibrosis."

However, Ciarán's body then rejected the transplant.

"In August 2013 Ciarán’s health deteriorated when he went into rejection. Ciaran was put back on the transplant list with the hope of receiving a second double lung transplant. We prayed and hoped for a hero to shine a light back into Ciaran’s life. Sadly Ciarán passed away waiting for that hero.”

Before he died the family promised Ciarán that they would work to increase awareness of organ donation and that perhaps someone would be touched by his story and join the organ donor register.

Gerry had already competed in the first FEAR event and in 2014 when race organisers offered the opportunity for a race award in his honour, the family leapt at the chance to use the award to promote organ donation and the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Trust charity.

Since then Gerry, Conrad and nephews Chris and Diarmuid have competed in every annual FEAR. This year they are joined for the first time by their sister-in-law Debbie and her friends Teresa, Vicky and Karen.

“The family have set up a justgiving site for anyone wanting to sponsor and raise money for the CF Trust and if anyone has a few spare pounds we would be really grateful for that support. Though its not just about the money. If I have one message is that we should have that chat with our loved ones so that they are aware of our wishes. Organ Donation Week is the perfect time for you to consider this and discuss your wishes with your family.

"We are all looking forward to it. Though I’ve been up and down Magho cliff to remind me what it is like – unfortunately the almost vertical climb is still there!"

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Conrad-Murphy1

The late Ciarán Murphy on organ donation

"Ciarán always used three simple words to describe his organ donor - hero, love and legacy. He called his organ donor a hero - a person whose contribution to life and society is of far greater worth than anything than can be adorned with medals or awards.

"He called it an act of love between two people that have never met and on a greater scale than that of the bible story of the Good Samaritan. He also believed that deciding to donate an organ leaves a legacy that receives no public recognition yet is the greatest legacy of all.

"In short in the darkest hour of someone’s life they and their family had enough love left to become a hero and shine a light back into his, leaving a legacy enhanced every time he got to do something or experience something that would not have possible but for his transplant."