Rutherglen Reformer

Touching tribute captures Sean’s passion for life

Special song helps raise charity cash

- NIKI TENNANT

The life of a young King’s Park man who was tragically killed in an accident while on holiday in Ireland has been celebrated by a group of musicians in a specially-written song.

Entitled Falcarragh’s Son, the song was written by music teacher Andy Stevenson during the journey back to Glasgow from Co. Donegal after the funeral of his friend Sean Heraghty.

Sean, 26, whose family had a holiday home in the seaside town of Sanhill, Dunfanaghy, was struck by a car in the early hours of December 27, 2017 and died at the scene.

His funeral was held in Donegal, with a subsequent service in St Columbkill­e’s Church in Rutherglen. Both were attended by hundreds of friends and family.

Now, a group of Glasgow musicians have come together to record Andy’s song in celebratio­n of the memory of Sean.

Falcarragh’s Son was released on YouTube and across social media and is helping raise money for children’s charity BUMBLEance, the Children’s National Ambulance Service for Ireland, in Sean’s name.

Touching on the many adventures quantity surveyor Sean had, the positive impact he had on many lives, and his connection with Donegal and Glasgow, the song’s poignant refrain, “Don’t count the days, make the days count” was a phrase much used by Sean and one which captures his lust for life.

Andy, who met Sean in primary school, said: “Sean was a man who lived life to the full and touched so many lives.

“I wrote this song on the way home from his funeral in Ireland and decided to try and use this musical platform as a further opportunit­y to raise money for a fantastic cause.

“I hope the song brings some comfort and warm memories of the man whom everyone called a friend.

“It has already raised a substantia­l amount of money which is incredibly humbling and I would ask that people continue to share the video across social media platforms and to continue to donate via the JustGiving page.

“A special thanks should be given to all the musicians and creative people who helped make the song and the video.”

The post on Facebook has been shared over 130 times and the video has been viewed almost 4000 times on YouTube, raising an incredible €1642 in one week, with those numbers climbing every day.

BUMBLEance aims to offer safe and comfortabl­e transporta­tion for Ireland’s youngest patients for preand post-surgical appointmen­ts, inter-hospital transfers, respite and hospice trips, scheduled trips, chemo cab, transplant­s and critical care and ‘angel trips’ for terminally ill children who are making their final journey on Earth.

The music video was performed and recorded by the newly-formed Colm Collective, which aims to support content produced by young and emerging artists and creatives in Glasgow.

The Colm Collective rendition included flute, fiddle, accordion and piano performanc­es. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/falcarragh­sean

I hope the song brings some comfort and warm memories

 ??  ?? Much loved Sean lived life to the full
Much loved Sean lived life to the full

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