By Sarah Curran
THE memory of a Portaferry schoolgirl will once again be at the forefront of an annual mental health charity fundraiser.
Keen walkers and runners have been invited yet again to attend the fifth annual Abi’s Butterfly Breeze fundraiser held in memory of St Columba’s College pupil, Abi Rogers.
At just 15 years-old, Abi Rodgers lost her battle with mental health back in September 2018, devastating her family and the Portaferry community.
On the year of her first anniversary, Abi’s family set up a fundraiser dubbed Abi’s Butterfly Breeze, which has since turned into a positive annual event which reaches its fifth year this week.
The fundraiser, which pays tribute to Abi’s love of butterflies, not only marks the young girl’s anniversary, but also helps raise vital funds for Bright Future, a new counselling service for young people set up in memory of Abi, in association with mental health charity Inspire.
Over the year, Abi’s family complete a number of challenges and fundraisers in the lead up to their main fundraising event, which includes a 5k walk, 10k run and a family fun day.
Fundraising this week for Abi’s Butterfly Breeze kicked off with a charity football match between the returning teams, Abi’s Butterfly Breezers and the Portaferry Over 40s at Anne Street football pitch in Portaferry.
This is to be followed by the main fundraising event, Abi’s Butterfly Breeze 10k, taking place this Sunday at Portaferry GAC at 1pm. Late entry fees of £20 will be accepted on the day, however participants are asked to bring cash with them.
Also taking place on Sunday will be a 5k, with a late entry fee of £10 and fun day activities for children, costing £3 each.
Entertainment and refreshments will be available after the organised run and walk, with donation buckets onsite on the day, as well as tickets for the annual raffle.
The annual charity pub quiz is also set to take place later in the month, on Friday, September 20, at The Lep Bar, costing £3 per head. Light refreshments will be served and the raffle results will be announced.
Speaking about the annual fundraiser, Abi’s mum, Cathy Gilmore-Brodie, said: “This week of fundraising is dedicated to Abi on her anniversary.
“She is what inspires me to do it every year. She is what keeps me going.
“It’s great to see the support from people walking or running and seeing the communities coming together in support of her.
“Seeing Abi’s name among the butterflies keeps me going.”
