Pictured during the Run-Walk-Cycle-For Lisa organised by the McAlister family from Cuhendall. It took place from Carnlough to Cushendall on Bank Holiday Saturday to raise mental health awareness. Picture Kevin McAuley/McAuley MultimediaPictured during the Run-Walk-Cycle-For Lisa organised by the McAlister family from Cuhendall. It took place from Carnlough to Cushendall on Bank Holiday Saturday to raise mental health awareness. Picture Kevin McAuley/McAuley Multimedia
Pictured during the Run-Walk-Cycle-For Lisa organised by the McAlister family from Cuhendall. It took place from Carnlough to Cushendall on Bank Holiday Saturday to raise mental health awareness. Picture Kevin McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

Lisa McAlister’s fundraising day brings sunshine, smiles and memories - check out these photos from the event

The sun shone on friends and family of Cushendall woman Lisa McAlister as they stepped out yesterday (Saturday) in a fundraising walk held in her memory.

Lisa, who was 30, sadly lost her life to suicide in July last year.

The mum-of-two had planned to raise money for mental health charities with her own fundraising challenge before lockdown began.

The response to the fundraising event arranged in her memory - to walk, run or cycle the 10 miles between Carnlough and Cushendall - has been incredible.

“Lisa was our only girl; she was loud, bouncy, a real character - but mental ill health was something she suffered with,” said Lisa’s mum Anne Marie, who is from Larne, ahead of the fundraiser.

“We just hope that we can raise enough money to try and make sure no other family has to go through what we have gone through.”

So far, £17,700 has been raised in Lisa’s memory.

A statement on the family’s JustGiving page says:

“We hope to make the mental health support networks more accessible to the people of the Glens. We hope to enhance people’s understanding of mental health. We hope to strengthen those charities and organisations who have supported our family so much in our hour of need.

We do not want our loss to be meaningless. We desperately want to make a difference.”