EMOTIONAL FAREWELL FROM MULL, AND CALUM DUFFY

Around 1000 islanders and rally crew gathered for today’s emotional ‘Celebration Walk’ in Tobermory. Below is the poem written and read today at the end of the Walk by eight-times Mull Rally winner, Calum Duffy.

We thank Calum for allowing us to print his poem and believe you, like us, will feel this is a fitting closure to the weekend:

We are gathered here in simple disbelief,
united we stand to share this grief.
Taken from this world in the blink of an eye,
doing what he loved but no time to say good bye.

A gentle giant, fun loving and kind
these traits in a man are hard to find.
He loved this island and now calls it home,
he loved rallying and he would never moan.
A fierce competitor but would always help you out
and it would be fair to say he liked the odd stout!

Our sport is full of risks and we all know them,
this is where the adrenaline begins to stem.
Every competitor here and away is heart broken
for the loss of one of their own men.
None of us expect to be touched by this thing,
but when it comes close, its reality it does bring.

So many people give up so much to create a rally.
Us competitors have massive thanks to you all personally.
Our community is strong and together in times of scrutiny
and as one, we celebrate, we commiserate, we have unity.
As one we are here to show our support
for Andy’s family and Sarah; you’re not alone at this port!

We are here to say thank you for this event.
We wish John MacCrone a speedy recovery.
But mostly we are here to say good bye.
Take care big fella, the angels have you now … good bye.

Calum Duffy 11/10/15