Geraldine Mullan will remember late mother and family as she heads for Kilimanjaro

Geraldine Mullan will carry memories in her heart as she makes her way to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity.

Earlier this month, Geraldine, who lives in Moville, lost her mother Margaret, who was 86, and known as a "nanny to the whole community as she made everyone feel special".

Geraldine, a nurse from Williamstown, Co Galway, made the announcement of her plans to climb the highest mountain in Africa last year. Geraldine and her friend Katie Fitzpatrick have set up a Just Giving page and have already gathered over £23,000, having set up The Mullan Hope Centre in Moville in memory of her family.

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Geraldine was the sole survivor when her son Tomás, 14, daughter Amelia, 6, and husband John, 49, died after the family’s car entered Lough Foyle on the way home from a day out in August 2020.

"It's hard to believe after months of talking, planning, hiking, training that it's now finally here," Geraldine posted. "Only three more sleeps until my biggest challenge to date starting on Monday, February 17.

As the start date approaches, I have a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. It has been a very emotional, poignant and difficult week as we laid our beautiful mum Margaret (Connaughton) to rest - in her 86 years, she was an amazing wife to our loving dad Mautie, (happily married for 56 years) wonderful mother to my siblings Elizabeth, Henry, John, Mary T, Paul and I and groovy grandmother to her 16 grandchildren, as well as awesome sister/sister-in-law/aunt, great neighbour and friend to one and all, and as described during her funeral mass, not just nanny to her family but 'nanny to the whole community as she made everyone feel special.'

"She passed away on Thursday, February 6, at home surrounded by us all. She knew all about my upcoming trip as I kept her updated on it over the last few months, so I will be carrying her in my heart next week alongside my beloved John, Tomás and Amelia and I know the four of them will keep me going step by step and in mum's words from her favourite song 'one day at a time.'

"Alongside my teammates, we will take it step by step or 'pole pole' as they say in Tanzania along the Machame route hopefully reaching the summit on Sunday, February 23, so your prayers and  well wishes will all be definitely needed next week. Hopefully all our training will stand to us and we enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity.

"A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated either online or offline. For those who would still like to contribute, you can on 'Geraldine and Katie’s Just Giving page - called Geraldine & Katie are trekking Kilimanjaro in aid of Children in Crossfire'. We are blown away by your kindness

"Will keep you all updated and hopefully have some pictures to capture our hike. Coverage on the mountain is not great, but hopefully the all-important update will be on February 23. Go raibh mile maith agat."