Will you please join Drumragh Integrated College in making a difference in the fight against MND? The staff, family and friends of Christopher McConnell want to raise money to benefit the Motor Neurone Disease Association Northern Ireland.

All proceeds of our fundraising will go towards MNDANI. This will help and support people living with MND locally in Northern Ireland.

Fundraising events are planned at Drumragh Integrated College on Sunday 17th October 2021 these include a sponsored 5km Walk and ‘Spinathon’. The pupils will also have an opportunity to help raise funds with a sponsored ‘Mile for MND’ during the school day of Wed. 20^th October. 

You can visit the main website at www.mndani.com

Please remember Christopher and please donate no matter how small.

Save the date…

Sunday 17^th October - 3pm

We hope to see you there for this amazing cause.

Christopher lost his fight to MND a year ago on 11th October 2020.  Unfortunately, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is life-shortening and there is currently no cure.

Christopher joined the Technology and Design Department of Drumragh College in September 2000 and became the Head of Department in 2006. It was a role he loved and one he was very proud of. Right from the start, it was clear that Christopher had a passion for all things practical and a love of all things STEM, and it was this passion which guided his teaching and inspired his many students. When Christopher became Head of Department, he introduced a number of changes, all of which were designed to inspire and motivate his students. He introduced new projects, developed new skills and provided students with a stronger foundation for progressing into GCSE, A Level and ultimately degree level education. His changes resulted in his subject becoming one of the most popular in the school. Christopher led his department through many changes and he had a very “hands on” approach when we moved to our new building. If he could do something himself he would, rather than wait for it to be done. He used the new facilities and space to great effect and the displays in the department often reflected the new opportunities moving to the new building provided. Christopher became a true friend of everyone in his department and many others throughout the school. If asked, they will tell you that he was always there for them, was always straight talking and had a no nonsense approach to life. You always knew where you stood with Christopher; something many of us came to value and rely on. They will also tell you that he was a great leader who provided guidance, gave freely of his time and was always there to listen and support. Staff will describe him as a gentle giant with a heart of gold. His many students will remember him with great affection. As a Form Teacher, he was a valued and highly respected member of the Post-16 Pastoral team. Like the staff, his students will mention the frank and honest discussion he had with them, but they also know he always had their best interests at heart. Christopher loved being a Form Teacher and loved the opportunities the role provided to guide his students and help prepare them for life beyond school, whether this be university or employment. In 2018, Christopher led a Technology and Design trip to Munich. It was a highlight for him and he relished the opportunities it provided to spend time with the students, explore things which interested him, and engage with his colleagues outside the school. It is a trip they will never forget.

Christopher will also be remembered for the many other projects he was involved in. He will be remembered for the many hours he spent helping to ensure his students cars were the fastest in the F1 racing competitions they entered, remembered for their many achievements in the competition, and remembered for the countless hours he spent supporting school productions. The car he helped design and build for our “Grease” production sits proudly in our canteen and it is admired by every visitor who sees it. We also have his “Monet” bridge in our central courtyard. It has taken centre stage in countless school photos celebrating our successes, numerous photos in our Prospectus and it is a place our student enjoy playing in. On Sports Day, Christopher would be found managing the javelin and the tug o war, and Christopher being Christopher, he could not resist joining in. The students loved him for this and enjoyed the challenge of trying to beat him in a game of strength. They rarely did!. One of his many friends probably describes Christopher the best when they said he was “ a proud and private man, a family man and a great friend”. He will be missed by all.

We at Drumragh are hoping to do some good by helping to raise money for MNDANI, so that they can continue their work in improving care, funding research and raising awareness of just how devastating MND is.