Remembering rebecca mcmanus

The father of a young university graduate, who was killed last May while standing at a bus-stop by an out of control car, has called for people to support a friend of their daughter’s who plans to cycle from New York to Los Angeles next month.
Gerard McManus from Solihull, West Midlands, but whose parents hail from Cavan, is calling on people across the Republic of Ireland and the UK to get behind his daughter Rebecca’s friend, Hugo Card, as he attempts the 4,000-mile cycling feat in support of the Brake charity.
Brake, which operates internationally from its bases in the UK and New Zealand, are a charity dedicated to preventing road death and injury and caring for people bereaved or injured in road crashes.
It has several flagship campaigns such as the 'Go 20mph’ for communal areas and also the 'Too Young to Die’ educating young drivers about crashes.
Rebecca (31) was killed on May 31, 2014, while standing at a bus-stop in Birmingham, by an out of control car.
Her friend who was with her at the time was seriously injured. Her friend survived but is still recovering from the incident.
Rebecca had just completed her studies in creative writing and English Literature at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, and Gerard told The Anglo-Celt: “You can imagine the devastation it has brought on the family and we will pick up the pieces for the rest of our lives.”
A 32-year-old man from Birmingham was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and that case is due to be heard before the courts in England in the coming months.
Gerard, whose father is from Gubrawooli and mother from Cootehill, while his uncle Desmond runs The Swan Pub in Swanlinbar, is thankful for the work the Brake charity has done for him and his family. He is appealing for support for Hugo’s cause.
On his 'Just Giving’ page, Hugo says that he is dedicating his expedition to the memory of Rebecca.
“Starting on March 21, 2015, I will be cycling coast to coast of USA. The route will exceed 4,000 miles and, starting in New York, will cover 14 states and finish in LA.”
The journey is no easy task, taking Hugo through the Arizona desert. However, he will be travel blogging as he goes, having set up a YouTube account to allow his family and friends, and those of Rebecca, to follow his progress on the road.
“Road traffic incidents are not reversible but they are preventable and so your donation can make a difference today. The money you raise will go directly to making roads safer through education and helping bereaved families,” says Hugo.
For details on fundraising achievements in memory of Rebecca McManus, visit the Just Giving page 'Remembering Rebecca McManus’.