A CLARE woman who tragically lost her husband last year has described as “heartwarming” the support she and her family have received in marking his first anniversary with a touching tribute.
People from all over the country, and around the world, came together from a distance to get involved in #fiveforfran, honouring the memory of Fran Harding who sadly died in a drowning incident in Lahinch in January of last year.
The idea came about when, due to Covid-19 restrictions, Fran’s family were unable to get together to remember him on his anniversary. His wife Sarah Jane tells us she found this “particularly difficult” and in trying to come up with ways to honour his memory, she thought of Fran’s love of the outdoors.
“We were always walking, cycling and of course, the day he passed away he was swimming which was another love of his. We were always embracing the outdoors, no matter what the time of year. He was always a believer in that it was great to clear the head after a day’s work, to go for a walk.
“I wanted to acknowledge just what an amazing man he was, always seeing the best in things. He was all about getting into the outdoors and the fresh air, keeping the mind good and healthy. He was definitely a glass half full guy. For me losing him was hard and lock-downs are hard, but I try and hold on to that because he kind of instilled it in me, to always look for the positives in things.”
Bearing in mind the 5km restrictions she decided she would mark the anniversary by going for a walk with their daughter Pippa. She then went on to suggest to the rest of the family, including Fran’s brothers Colm and Declan who had also moved to Clare from Tipperary, that in keeping with social distancing they too could do a 5km in memory of Fran. “I was on the phone to Fran’s brother Colm and I told him I’m thinking of doing ‘Five For Fran’, I just thought that had a bit of a ring to it.” They decided to put the idea up on Facebook to share it with Fran’s many friends who couldn’t be there physically to remember him, and the idea took off from there.
“We just said we were saddened as a family not to be able to mark his first anniversary, but we totally accepted the restrictions and having to keep everyone safe. We just explained what we were doing, and if anybody would want to do a 5km walk or a cycle in memory of Fran they were welcome to do so.”
She tells us she was “blown away” by the response from people who wanted to show their support. “#fiveforfran has been completed by people throughout the local community in Coolmeen together with friends and family in Ennis and Tipperary, throughout Clare, throughout Ireland and as far afield as Australia. Fran’s colleagues from Club Dangan Menswear and my colleagues in MHP solicitors and so many connected with us have done it and I’m still continuing to get updates from people doing it.
“I have to say that it not only fills my heart to see so many people walking, running, cycling 5km in memory of Fran, but also I’m so pleased to see this during our third lockdown where so many must be struggling and I’m hoping by getting out and doing #fiveforfran, they benefit in some way too and even better that it’s in memory of Fran, he would just love that.”
When the idea first came about, she never anticipated so many people would get involved, including a proud Clare man who donned a Tipperary jersey in memory of Fran.
“For people to hold Fran in their thoughts on their walk or whatever it is they chose to do, just have a little chat about Fran and remember the funny stories – because nearly every story you tell about Fran is a funny one – it just means so much. It helped me a lot, because the first anniversary is hard. The first of everything after someone passes away is difficult, every day is, but on these occasions you do a lot of thinking. It helped me a lot to know that so many other people were out there were thinking of me and of Pippa and Fran.”
While this might not have been the way Sarah Jane expected to mark Fran’s first anniversary, she tells us, “only afterwards when it took off, I realised it was the most fitting tribute to him really.”
The day she and her daughter took their walk they were joined by Sarah Jane’s sister. Sarah Jane recalls it was a beautiful day, and many others decided to do their own #fiveforfran that weekend. “It was just fabulous, it was like Fran gifted everyone the weather to get out and do the Five for him. I definitely think he is smiling down proudly, not just on us, but on everyone who did it for him.”
She paid tribute to all those who came out and showed their support, describing it as “amazing”. There is even the possibility that it might become an annual event, with hopes that next year could see people getting together in person.
“In these Covid times, people are learning to come together virtually rather than physically and it’s heartwarming for me to know so many are doing #fiveforfran and I’m truly so grateful for the support. You never know maybe next year we may even all get to do #fiveforfran together. We live in hope of a Covid free future.”