£24,000 donated to Air Ambulance NI in memory of Caitlin Hogg

13-year-old Caitlin tragically passed away on the December 8, 2022 two days after being involved in a road traffic collision.

Daughter of Bob and Rosemary and sister to Conor, Ronan and Cara, Caitlin was a dedicated and talented player for Kinawley GAA.

In the immediate aftermath of Caitlin’s passing, her family chose to have donations in-lieu of flowers to AANI raising over £5,700 after the HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) was tasked to her before transporting her to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast by helicopter.

The late Caitlin Hogg

Then in late January, Kinawley GAA organised an event which challenged Caitlin’s team mates to walk ‘Ten Million Steps for Caitlin’, taking place around their local football pitch.

Caitlin’s family, friends and people from across the entire community joined the girls three evenings a week over a six-week period and walked together in her memory in all weather conditions. This incredibly raised a further £18,391 for AANI.

Speaking about the initiative, Áine Haren from Kinawley GAA said, “Caitlin was a beautiful young lady, both inside and out, a credit to her family. She had such a generous smile and loving nature. Her loss cast a huge shadow over the entire community and affected so many people in different ways.

"Initially we wanted to organise something so that her friends and teammates could spend time together, especially after Christmas when there is not much activity happening and the evenings are bleak and dark. 38 girls took part in the challenge, and put in an unbelievable effort, but it was the support from the wider community that was truly overwhelming.

Caitlin's team mates from Kinawley GAA who took part in a walking challenge in her memory

"Caitlin loved the social aspect of the GAA, and adored getting up to the pitch to have the craic with her friends. It was an evening she would have enjoyed thoroughly, and a lovely way for everyone to come together and remember her, as well as celebrating the achievement of her teammates in completing the challenge."

Caitlin’s parents said: “Caitlin was such a fun-loving, caring and generous child who we miss dearly. She touched the lives of many, and her family, friends and community meant the world to her. We are so overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who contributed to AANI in her memory. When Kinawley GAA approached us about the idea of organising a ‘Ten Million Steps for Caitlin Challenge’ we were truly honoured by such a gesture in memory of our darling Caitlin.

"Getting out and walking with the girls and the community during the bleak winter evenings that followed Caitlin’s accident helped us as a family to get through a very difficult period. We will be forever indebted to everyone who took part and supported us.

"The girls’ achievement was incredible and is something of which they should be very proud; we certainly have no doubt that Caitlin is so proud of them. Of course, all of this could not have been for a better cause. We will be eternally grateful for the efforts of AANI in response to Caitlin’s accident and are delighted that the money raised in her memory will contribute to sustaining such a vital service."

Representatives of Kinawley GAA present a cheque to Air Ambulance NI alongside the Hogg family

Damien McAnespie, AANI Fundraising manager, said: “This is an incredible donation in Caitlin’s memory. To see something so positive happening after such a tragedy is humbling. Kinawley GAA should be commended on how they brought the entire community together and allowed everyone a way to express their grief in the weeks and months after the loss of Caitlin, especially for her family and young club mates.

"The combined donation from Kinawley GAA and donations in-lieu of flowers of over £24k will fund the air ambulance for over three days. This potentially could help save the lives, brains and limbs of six individuals in the region following a serious trauma or medical incident.

"The Hogg family and the entire community of Kinawley have made this happen. We can’t thank them enough for their support and strength after such a devastating time.”

The Hogg family pictured with the Air Ambulance NI helicopter.