WITH every step Caroline Henderson takes on Errigal later this month, foremost in her mind will be her husband, Carl.

A father-of-three, Carl was hiking on Errigal on April 26 when he suffered a cardiac arrest. Paramedics, who were hiking on the mountain, tried to resuscitate him. The 48-year-old was then airlifted by a Coast Guard helicopter to Letterkenny University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

It took over 50 minutes for a land ambulance to reach him on the mountain path and the closest defibrillator was located approximately the same amount of time away.

In celebration of his life, Carl’s family and friends are planning ‘Climb for Carl,’ a sponsored walk up Errigal on Sunday, October 26, poignantly marking his six-month anniversary.

Carl was originally from Barwick in England but had been living in Moira, county Down, with his wife Caroline and their three children, Aibhilín, Rían, and Caoimhe. The family were regular visitors to Donegal, with Caroline’s mum hailing from Bunbeg.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Caroline said the last few months have been “very difficult”, but she said she has found incredible strength in her children, family, friends and the communities of Down, Donegal and further afield.

“We’re doing okay. There has been a lot of trauma because of the suddenness of losing Carl.

“We’re slowly getting back to routine, the kids are my reason for keeping going.”

Caroline met Carl when she was just 18.

“Carl was just so loved. He is a huge loss to so many people, but especially to me and our children.

“He was a family man, who was always smiling. He worked very hard, and he was always so full of life, always laughing. I have heard so many stories of how he was joking while climbing Errigal. He literally died laughing.

“I am still receiving messages from so many people around the country and from England, where Carl’s work headquarters are. I’ve received so many letters from people telling me that when Carl went to work appointments that he was always talking about me and our children.

“People travelled from all over the country to attend his funeral. Carl’s head office in Manchester even closed to allow people to come to his funeral. There has been such an outpouring of grief, but also support.

“It’s still so hard to take in. We were in Disneyland the week before he died, where we were doing 20,000 steps a day. Carl was so fit and healthy, so to lose him without warning has been such a shock.”

Caroline said that while walking up Errigal will be very emotional, she said money raised will go towards installing an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the mid point of the mountain. Any additional funds raised will be donated to the Donegal Mountain Rescue for their efforts to help Carl on the day.

“By doing this, we hope that another family won’t have to go through the pain of losing a loved one, and it will also be a powerful legacy in memory of Carl who loved Donegal, and loved to be outdoors with people.”

Caroline said the fundraiser is also being driven by many local people who were there on the day that Carl sadly died.

“One of the driving forces behind this is paramedic Sean Boylan, as well as one of the first responders Liz Gallagher. Anne Marie Doherty from Annagry is also part of the fundraiser as is one of my very close friends, Vanessa, who regarded Carl as a brother to her.

“Marie Gillespie, from Derrybeg, a very close family friend, is also part of the fundraising group. She has been instrumental in organising the buckets in the local shops, and she has been a great support to the children and I.”

“So many random people passing by tried to help that day, taking turns to carry emergency equipment up Errigal. I’ll always be so grateful. ”

The sponsored walk takes place on Sunday, October 26 starting at 11.30am at Errigal Car Park. Caroline also praised a host of local businesses which are getting behind ‘Climb for Carl’, providing refreshments afterwards. Donation boxes will be in a number of shops, including Gallagher’s, Roarty’s and Bunbeg Chemist.

Cronan Mac Travel is providing shuttle buses. Parking will be available at the Old School in Dunlewey, next to Roarty’s Shop. A shuttle bus will be running from approximately 11.30am to transport all participants to Errigal Car Park. All participants are urged to avail of the Park and Ride option to avoid traffic congestion.

Anyone wishing to take part is asked to register via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climbforcarl-tickets-1811094635809

Anyone wishing to donate can do so via https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/ClimbForCarl