Family of Derry teacher killed in Abu Dhabi crash 'forever proud' of her achievements

The sister of a Derry teacher tragically killed in Abu Dhabi has said the family will be "forever proud" of all her achievements.

Maureen Healy, sister of Caina Healy who sadly died after she was struck by a car while cycling to work as a teacher at an international school, was speaking ahead of a sports event for children in her memory.

Caina, a former pupil of St Cecilia’s College in Derry, worked as a PE teacher at Amity International School and was an accomplished athlete in her own right. Well-known in the Abu Dhabi triathlon scene, Caina’s athletic achievements included placing third in the Bahrain Half Ironman, first in the Muscat Half Ironman relay, and she had also qualified to represent the UAE in the Half Ironman World Championship.

Read more: Tributes paid to 'selfless and adored' Derry teacher killed cycling to work in Abu Dhabi

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The Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum in Caina's native Derry has now announced plans to host a children’s 'Try-a-Tri' event in memory of the dedicated Derry teacher.

The ‘Caina Healey Children’s Try-a-Tri’ will take place on Friday (June 14) and will see over 60 primary school children from across the city take part in a 50-metre swim, two-mile cycle and one-mile run event.

Maureen Healy said: “We as a family will be forever proud of all Caina’s achievements, both personal and professional. We are totally humbled by the Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum, who have given a lot of time and effort to ensure Caina's legacy lives on in something she was so dedicated to - triathlon and children in sport."

Maureen added: "Her love for this sport started in her hometown Derry. We wish all participants the greatest of luck and know they will show all the attributes we so fondly remember about Caina. Our memory of her will always be of love.”

Health programmes manager at the Health Forum, Aisling Hutton, said that the event has been designed to encourage more young children to improve their fitness & mental health; set health goals; and support each other to live healthier lives.

“We are incredibly proud to host this Try-a-Tri in Caina’s name,” Aisling said. “Over the past couple of months, we were lucky to met with Caina’s family and we were in awe hearing about the life Caina lived. She truly was an inspiration through her dedication to sport and her encouragement of young people to get more active.”

Aisling, who also sits on Derry City and Strabane Council for Sinn Fein, said she hopes that the Caina Healey Children’s Try-a-Tri will be the first of many over the coming years.

“We host an annual Try-a-Tri event for adults every year that is always a great success," she said. "Many people who complete it, push on to train for full triathlons and other races and generally make lasting, positive changes to their fitness and health. It would be great to see this replicated for the kids. With the challenges children face, we believe the Caina Healey Children’s Try-a-Tri, can be the perfect ‘kick-start’to a healthier lifestyle.”

In addition to hosting the Children’s try-a-tri, the Health Forum have been visiting participating schools in the run-up, to oversee training for the event and to hold workshops discussing Caina, her values, and the inspiring life she lived.

The ‘Caina Healey Children’s Try-a-Tri’ will also serve as a fundraiser for the Health Forum’s ‘Danny Quigley Fund’ (DQF). The fund was established following the achievements of local triathlete Danny Quigley who completed 10 triathlons in 10 days in 2021 and last year swam over 120 kilometres in memory of those who have died by suicide in the North West. The fund facilitates one-to-one mental health counselling services in the community.

The ‘Caina Healey Children’s Try-a-Tri’ will take place at Templemore Sports Complex on Friday June 14th,2024, at 11am. For more information, visit: www.bbhealthforum.org

To donate to the Caina Healey Children’s Try-a-Tri fundraiser click this link

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