Thank You, Big Ian McFarlane — In Memory of Andy Gibney

Light of Foot would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ian McFarlane, Andy’s family — his brother, his sisters, his mummy and all his relatives — and a couple of close friends who stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder throughout this journey. We also want to thank Ian’s other half, Stacey, whose support was invaluable. Ian has been clear that he couldn’t have done this alone. Everyone chipped in, everyone helped, and Stacey kept his head strong any time he felt weak.

It was never a solo effort — there were a few cogs that made the engine work.

Thanks to this collective effort, Ian raised an incredible £4,500 for Light of Foot — a massive amount that will directly support mental‑health work within our marching community.

Ian summed it up perfectly in his own words:

“In my eyes, it was Andy who raised that money, not me.

It was Andy’s name on everything that made people want to donate — I was just the one pushing it, that’s all.

It was all Andy, not me.”

Ian also shared these powerful words about why he chose to fundraise:

“On the 3rd of May 2026 myself and four other bandsmen will be taking part in the Belfast City Marathon running in memory of our friend Andy Gibney.

Sunday 11th of January 2026 Andy sadly lost his battle with mental health. This battle had happened many times over the years. Andy fought and overcame his inner demons many times but unfortunately this time it overcame him.

In 2025 suicide deaths in Northern Ireland rose sharply, with men making up over three quarters of those lost. Working class communities are the ones carrying the heaviest burden. The problem within the Northern Ireland mental health system is that strategies exist, frameworks exist, resources exist but ACTION is what is missing.

The money raised from our marathon run will be donated to the Light of Foot marching mental health charity. Andy himself was a member of the marching band community for the most part of his life. Andy loved the band scene, he loved the music, he loved the culture but most of all he loved the brotherhood that came along with being in a band. Anyone who had the pleasure of being in the same ranks as Andy will know that he had a head full of demons but a massive heart full of gold.

The marathon team running in Andy’s memory consists of band members from five different flute bands spread across the UK:

• Ian McFarlane – Shankill Protestant Boys

• Bradley Cooke – Shankill Protestant Boys

• Craig Moore – Tigers Bay Loyal

• Daniel Robertson – Govan Protestant Boys

• Kyle “Skilly” Skillen – Gertrude Star

• Daniel Ewart – Pride of Lagan Valley

Each one of us will run a leg of the marathon with Andy in our hearts and Light of Foot in our sights. Any donation is greatly appreciated no matter how small, we hope by raising this money it helps those that can help others who reach out to receive the support they need.

One conversation can save a life.”

A Night for Andy — Thank You to Every Band Who Stood With Us

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank‑you to the bands who performed at A Night for Andy, giving their time, talent, and solidarity to support mental‑health awareness within our marching community:

Shankill Protestant Boys

Sons of Ulster Shankill

Pride of the Shore

Rathcoole Protestant Boys

Gertrude Star

Star of the Roe

Tigers Bay Loyal

Your music, your presence, and your unity helped create a night filled with remembrance, brotherhood, and hope. Andy loved this community — and you honoured him in the most meaningful way.

From Light of Foot

Thank you, Ian. Thank you to Andy’s family. Thank you to the marathon team. Thank you to every band who played.

Your efforts have turned grief into action, and action into support for those who need it most.

The photos below are from when Ian and Andys family handed over the donation to Light of Foot.

One conversation can save a life — and your support helps make those conversations possible.

#LightOfFoot #ANightForAndy #InMemoryOfAndyGibney #BandCommunity #MentalHealthMatters #OneConversationCanSaveALife

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