'Going for a walk hi!'
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On 17th July 1979 life forever changed for the Weir Family. Grant then aged 22 years was part of a UDR patrol when the provisional IRA detonated a bomb. Grant suffered a serious head injury resulting in both physical and mental disabilities . Colleagues sustained minor-moderate injuries. Standing at nearby bus stop were three civilian woman; Sylvia Crowe and her mother and a Mrs Murray. Tragically Sylvia, a church missionary lost her life.
Grant battled for his life for many months afterwards and was not expected to pull through, but remarkably 41 years later he is still here and in relatively good health.
That said Grant requires 24-7 care and lives with his sister/main carer Michele Nixon, other members of the family also contribute in the care of Grant.
A big issue for the family is mental health and the need to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
In this regard, Grant with the support of his family will embark upon an ambitious undertaking to walk the equivalent of a marathon over a two-month period.
Fittingly Grant commences this challenge on Remembrance Day and he takes his first steps suited and booted with his Northern Ireland medal proudly worn and painfully gained.
The aim is that Grant will complete the marathon distance by 31st Jan 2021.
All monies raised through this campaign will be for the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing assisting two local charities to provide counselling and therapeutic-based services. The charities; Ely Centre and South East Fermanagh Foundation have been chosen as they provide ongoing support to Grant and the family.
Our objective as a family; beyond fundraising is to raise awareness of the needs of the injured, their carers and also the importance of practicing positive mental health and wellbeing.
We wish to send out that if Grant can succeed then so too can others; through courage and determination much is possible.
Grant battled for his life for many months afterwards and was not expected to pull through, but remarkably 41 years later he is still here and in relatively good health.
That said Grant requires 24-7 care and lives with his sister/main carer Michele Nixon, other members of the family also contribute in the care of Grant.
A big issue for the family is mental health and the need to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
In this regard, Grant with the support of his family will embark upon an ambitious undertaking to walk the equivalent of a marathon over a two-month period.
Fittingly Grant commences this challenge on Remembrance Day and he takes his first steps suited and booted with his Northern Ireland medal proudly worn and painfully gained.
The aim is that Grant will complete the marathon distance by 31st Jan 2021.
All monies raised through this campaign will be for the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing assisting two local charities to provide counselling and therapeutic-based services. The charities; Ely Centre and South East Fermanagh Foundation have been chosen as they provide ongoing support to Grant and the family.
Our objective as a family; beyond fundraising is to raise awareness of the needs of the injured, their carers and also the importance of practicing positive mental health and wellbeing.
We wish to send out that if Grant can succeed then so too can others; through courage and determination much is possible.
Organizer
Michele Nixon
Organizer
Northern Ireland
