Derek Bowles

I have just nominated my mum as a torch bearer, and it struck me that of course many of the inspirational things she does also include my dad. Dad is a quiet person who gives up a great deal of his time to help others. This theme runs right throughout his life from little things like swapping shifts at the hospital on Xmas day to allow colleagues with young families to have the day off, to his commitment to local football, cancer charity fund raising & his family. For over 20 years he has given his time to the local FA, attending events and keeping the books for the whole county and for a number of clubs in this time. He lost his sister to cancer 8 years ago and ever since that time both him and my mum have given huge amounts of their time to raising funds to build a children's hospice in Fermanagh. Dad helps to organise and run a whole host of events from BBQs & jumble sales to band nights & the setting up of a charity shop. He also attends meetings & does the accounts for the organisation. Dad's commitment to his family is the most inspirational thing about him. When his sister died she left a husband & three sons, all of primary school age. Dad & Mum have become like surrogate parents to these boys and have been very active in their up-bringing. They also spend a big part of their week helping to care for Dads parents who are 90 and 99. It is through the love and dedication of Dad that his parents still live happily in their own home. A really inspirational man!