The friends and family of a Dungannon man who died in December from Pulmonary Fibrosis have raised an incredible £13,000 in his memory at a special charity golf day – with the “unforgettable” support of many Armagh and Dungannon-based businesses.
Paul McBride – a doting father-of-four – passed away on December 9, 2024, aged 59. He was a tradesman by day, installing suspended ceilings and stud walls. And, regrettably, the dust associated with his work undoubtedly led to Paul contracting the life-limiting Pulmonary Fibrosis just a few years before he died.
His friend and one of the organisers of the Golf Day at Dungannon Golf Club, Kevin Grimley regarded him as “my brother”, the “life and soul of any party”, a man who “loved his children and family” and nothing but “constant craic”.
Kevin – who is originally from Armagh – explained of his dear friend: “He was a b****cks!! If you get that title you’re great. He would have been very hard working. He met and married a friend of mine Majella. I was Paul’s Best Man and he was mine.
“He loved his children and loved the craic and he was really good craic.”
Sharing a fond memory, Kevin said: “My father had passed away and Paul had two dogs that were sadly killed and he loved those dogs. So, Majella and my wife Grainne got together and sent us to The Ballymascanlon for a game of golf and a night’s stay.
“As the night progressed there was a bit of drink and some craic. We were for heading into Dundalk for a bit more – we just didn’t want the night to end – and when we were walking out the door we could hear music and when we opened the door it was a wedding. We decided we would go in and crash the party!
“I was at the bar getting a few drinks and when I turned around, they were doing ‘Rock the Boat’ and Paul was at the front of it, steering it! He was the life and soul of any party that there ever was. That was probably the last break that Paul ever got and it’s a great memory for me.”
Paul “suffered secretly” for around two years with his condition, choosing not to reveal it to his close friend. When he did tell Kevin what he was living with, he also revealed that it was terminal. The news was “soul destroying”, Kevin said.
“I have three sisters and no brother… Paul was my brother,” he added. The tragic news was given to Kevin in May. Just seven months later, he lost him.
Paul had been lucky enough to get onto the list for a lung transplant in Newcastle, England. One of the prerequisits for a lung transplant is that the patient must be free from cancer cells.
However, when they tried to fly him out from Woodgate to Newcastle, Paul “got into difficulties” and suffered a collapsed lung. When the medical team drained the fluid, they tested it and it sadly came back containing cancerous cells. The transplant was then off the table.
All they could do at that point was bring Paul home to be comfortable.
The pair developed a close bond over a 25 year period and so when Paul was nearing the end of his incredible life, Kevin was there to “hold his hand”, surrounded by his doting family and dear mother, Kathleen who was 90-years-of-age and also living with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Kevin said so many people locally have “no idea” about the condition or what it entails. They also have no little to no knowledge of Pulmonary Fibrosis NI, a charity working locally to support patients and their families.
And so, he felt it necessary to help raise awareness in memory of a man who made such a lasting impact on his life.
All proceeds from the Golf Day were for Pulmonary Fibrosis NI. Kevin says they are an “amazing” charity who provide a “very individualised” support to their patients.
They have recently purchased two holiday homes in Lough Erne and Ballycastle to ensure those living with the condition can experience “one last holiday” without the worry of flying (it can be very dangerous for someone with the condition).
Left, Paul with his wife Majella and right, with Kevin
Together with Paul’s family and other friends, the team managed to sell hundreds of tickets for their raffle. Paul’s own brother, Sean sold over £800 worth of tickets alone.
Another friend, Peter ‘Dixie’ McBride set up a ‘Donation Bar’ on the eleventh hole where players could get a free beer and a “roll of the dice”. There they could either get a hand-up in the game or “no luck”, if they rolled a 1. But Kevin said “the craic on the eleventh hole was mighty” and Dixie’s bar raised over £1,000 for the charity on the day.
Paul’s son, Ronan also got involved with a little photography – amassing over 700 photos of the event!
There were far too many people to mention or thank, but Kevin said each and every one of them will never be forgotten.
In a brief shout-out, he said: “Local printer, Instant Print… what they didn’t do might be easier to list! They sponsored a massive fabric banner and did all our printing and even the morning of the golf we needed more tickets and within an hour they had them done and printed.
“They were absolutely unreal… what they did for us. They didn’t know Paul but they cared to know about the charity and went above and beyond for us.”
The prizes were so generously given and each and every business went “above and beyond what was expected”. From McKinney Competitions, Keegan’s Bar, LA Image, Gold Drop and Phones Direct to so many more. “They all helped in any way they could and their kindness will never be forgotten,” said Kevin.
He also wished to thank Grainne Grimley, Ellie Hamill, Majella McBride, Ronan McBride, Ryan McBride, Lauren McBride, Megan McBride, Peter McBride, Tom McMillan and Dungannon Golf Club.
With the cheque for £13,069.94 now handed to Pulmonary Fibrosis NI, the entire team hope the money can be put to ensuring other families receive the help and support that Paul was so grateful to receive.
You can find more information about Pulmonary Fibrosis NI here.
