Charity walk in memory of Cookstown postman

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.midulstermail.co.uk/news/Cha ... 5127197.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A COOKSTOWN man whose father collapsed and died at the Giant's Causeway has organised a charity walk in his memory.
Popular postman Barry Hamilton (pictured) passed away suddenly in his wife Muriel’s arms on January 19 at the North Antrim beauty spot which he loved to visit with his family.

And in his memory, his son, also called Barry, is asking MAIL readers to help raise much-needed cash for the charity, Chest Heart and Stroke, by taking part in the Causeway Trek on Saturday, May 30.

The 11-mile walk starts at the Giant’s Causeway with the team tracing the route that Barry loved so much - from Dunservick Harbour, Portbradden, Whitepark bay and Ballintoy, before finishing at Larrybane. There is also a three-mile walk which participants can enjoy on the day.

Son Barry said his father, who was 63, was a popular postman in the Cookstown area for 26 years.

“Dad died suddenly in January and it was a big shock for the whole family. He was well-known and loved in the Cookstown area. He was always going out of his way to help people and he was well known for his smile when he greeted everyone at the sorting office, or when he was out doing his delivery,” he said. “He was so popular and his death is really just starting to hit us now.

“We then decided it would be a fitting tribute to him to ask people to walk where he loved to go with mum. He would have gone there regularly for walks, and according to the people at the Giant’s Causeway, he was the first person to die there of natural causes.”

The family would like to thank Barry’s colleagues at Royal Mail who are supporting the event. Donations can be left at the Royal Mail sorting office in James Street, as well as at the family home at 6 Cooke Crescent. Thanks are also extended to staff at ASDA in Cookstown, 11 of whom will be taking part in the walk.

If you would like to support the family in their efforts to raise funds for Chest, Heart and Stroke, please contact the Hamiltons on 028 8676 6513 or 07907 502669. There will also be a quiz night on Thursday, June 11 at Killymoon Golf Club, again with all proceeds going to Chest, Heart and Stroke NI.