One of Boho’s most popular residents will be remembered this weekend as friends, family and colleagues take on the challenge of walking Cuilcagh Mountain in his memory to raise funds for Northern Ireland Air Ambulance (NIAA).
The late Peter Jones, who died in July last year, will be remembered on Saturday as many gather at Cuilcagh Mountain to remember a man who was the heart of his community. The walk has been organised by his former colleagues at Tracey Concrete.
Peter had been active in many aspects of community life; including Botha Parish, Derrygonnelly Harps GAA and Boho Youth Club, as well as in his working life at Tracey Concrete.
The organiser of the walk, Anton Tracey, said: “Peter Jones, our work colleague and friend passed away tragically on July 21, 2021, leaving an irreplaceable hole in his family, workplace and community.”
Detailing Peter’s working life with the company, Anton said: “Peter started employment with Tracey Concrete in 1986 and it was not long until he showed his enthusiasm and potential to move up the ranks in becoming an integral part of the day-to-day running of the business as a Production Manager.
"He was always prepared to take on new roles or accept new challenges, like becoming a first aider, and he was also involved in health and wellbeing within the company.”
Remembering Peter, Anton said: “Peter is a huge loss to Tracey Concrete, and is truly missed by all his colleagues.”
Others joining the challenge alongside Tracey Concrete include Boho Youth Club members and their family and friends. Aine McGahey, committee member for Boho Youth Club, said: “Peter was the Chairperson of the youth club for many years and was delighted when it restarted again in the community.
"He was so community- and family-orientated, there are no words to describe how proud he was of his family. He was a modest man who wouldn’t have liked any spotlight at all.”
The youth club and supporters will travel from Boho on a bus sponsored by Martin Brennan, Diamond Cabs and is now full.
Aine added: “There could have been two buses ran, and they’d have been full.”
The walk will be an emotional day for Peter’s family, his wife, Martina and children, Leigh, Nicola, Nathan, Naomi, Aaron and Ronan.
Peter’s eldest son, Leigh, spoke on behalf of the Jones family about what the charity event in memory of his father means to the whole family.
He said:“It is a really nice thing to do in dad’s memory and it's very fitting because he loved going out on walks. It is nice to see the amount of people who are still thinking about him; he was such a big part of Tracey Concrete for so many years.”
Explaining how NIAA aided Peter on the day he died, Leigh said: “The Air Ambulance came in on the day dad died, and they did everything they could to try and save him, and worked on him for a long, long time, but nothing could have been done.
"They provide a brilliant service, so it is nice to be able to do something to raise a bit of money to help them out. There are plenty of cases where they have helped families in great ways.”
Thanking everyone in the community who has supported the family, Leigh said: “We want to thank Tracey’s for organising it, and really want to thank everyone who has given so generously to the cause, and everyone who has helped us get through the last year and few months.
"That kindness has not gone unnoticed, and makes you realise you have family, friends and the community around you.”
If you would like to join the walk in memory of Peter, contact the Tracey Concrete office at 028 6632 6437. Donations can be made via https://tinyurl.com/2hdx4zd7.
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