Charity roller-skate to be held in memory of young Derry mum 

Derry mum of two, Hayley Rodgers, sadly passed away May 2021 at just 34 years old from Breast Cancer.

One year later, her family and friends honoured her memory and raised an incredible £10,000 for Marie Curie and those who looked after Hayley towards the end of her life.

Last May, family and friends hosted a 'Get Your Skates On' event, inviting everyone to skate along the Quay and fundraise in memory of Hayley.

This year, after the great success of last year, friends and family have decided to host the event again to keep Hayley's memory alive, provide positive memories for Hayley's daughters and raise money along the way for MacMillan Cancer support.

Hayley's sister in law, Danielle, says everyone had a ball, "We couldn't believe how much money was raised, it was amazing. It was such a scream too, everyone had a good laugh."

The idea for the skate initially came about after Hayley encouraged them all to buy roller skates at the start of the pandemic.

"Hayley put up a Facebook post about buying roller-boots. 33 years of age and here we were buying roller-boots," Danielle laughed.

"So we all bought into it and got roller-boots for the craic and made a plan to go down on the Quay for a laugh.

"But then the boots came and we couldn't stand in them, they got put in the press and that was it, forgotten about it. 

"We never got the chance to wear them because Hayley got sick in the September, only a couple of months later.

"We came up with the idea for the fundraiser because Hayley never got the chance so we did it in her memory and got all the family and friends together.

"She was so young and she was so family oriented. Her partner, PJ, my brother, has taken the weans under his wing and he does it on his own with the help of the families. He's doing so brilliantly."

Hayley pictured with her partner, PJ, and her two girls, Holly and Lily Kate 

The two year anniversary of Hayley's passing is on Tuesday May 17, and Danielle hopes that this event will create happy memories during a difficult time for the family, especially for her two young girls, Holly (8) and Lily Kate (3).

Hayley was diagnosed the day before her youngest's first birthday and sadly passed away only nine months later.

"We want to mark the week with something good. It helps her wee girls remember good memories instead of sadness, it's mainly for them.

"She'll be looking down laughing at us all trying to skate again, she was always up for a laugh, anything for a laugh. She'll definitely be laughing at us.

"Hayley put her hand to everything, she was so creative, she was so good at make up, even during her chemo she was making Christmas hair bands. She was just so thoughtful"

Danielle added: "We want to do this every year because no matter how much life is moving on, we won't ever forget Hayley. We want to keep her memory alive, especially for the girls."

The family is encouraging everyone to take part with or without roller-boots, walking, on scooters, bringing the kids, whatever way people are able.

The skate will start at Foyle Road Car Park next to the Craigavon Bridge on Sunday May 14 at 1pm.

Everybody taking part is welcome to make a donation. All money raised will be donated to MacMillan Cancer Support.