Derry woman Kate McGuinness honoured on her 60th birthday

The family of a Derry woman who died when she was only 42 have organised a special fundraising walk on what would have been her 60th birthday. Kathleen (Kate) McGuinness was 36 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a six year battle with the disease, Kate, a mother-of-five, passed away in March 1999. She would have been 60-years-old on January 26. Kate’s daughter, Aisling Hutton, said that they will celebrate her mother’s life by engaging in one of her favourite pastimes, walking, and has encouraged anyone who wishes to join them to come along. She said that her family hope to trace her mother’s footsteps along the Atlantic Drive in Donegal. The walk will take place on Saturday, January 28, at 10am, setting off from the Beach Hotel in Downings. Aisling has set up a JustGiving page for donations to the Foyle Hospice in her mother’s memory. “Walking was one of our mothers favourite pastimes; she would often go walking with her sisters, friends, our father and us children,” said Aisling. “The Atlantic Drive was one of her favourite walking routes. “It is a beautiful, gorgeous walk but if the weather is against us it would be risky as in some places you are basically on the edge of a mountain. “The history behind it is that when my mammy died, my daddy always wanted to do something every year on her anniversary in March so we used do that walk and raised around £30,000 for Ulster Cancer Foundation and always kept some for local charities such as the Pink Ladies.” Aisling said that the family have a back-up plan if the weather is inclement and making their planned walk along the Atlantic Drive too dangerous. “We hope we will be able to complete this route but if the weather is against us then we will do a more local walk around the three bridges. “The final route will be decided the Monday beforehand because then we will have a fair idea of what the weather will be like. “We welcome everyone including walking groups and running groups to come along. I can be contacted through Facebook for further information.” Aisling said her family, who are from the have decided to donate the money raised to Foyle Hospice. “We set up the JustGiving page to raise funds for The Foyle Hospice, who tirelessly continue to provide first class care and support to our town and further afield,” she said. Aisling also said that money is being raised through tickets available at Beauty by Louise & Co, Beechwood Avenue, priced £10. All ticketholders will then be entered into a prize draw to win HD brow treatments for a whole year. The winner will be announced on January 31. Aisling said that she and her family wished to thank everyone for their support and donations in remembering her mother on the 60th birthday. You can donate on the JustGiving page by logging on to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Aisling-Hutton Tickets priced £10 can also be bought online to be entered into a draw for a year of HD brows at Beauty by Louise & Co by visiting www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/charity-prize-draw-in-support-of-foyle-hospice-tickets-31107449218.