By Tristian Whitney

A charity walk in memory of late journalist and North West Regional College graduate Brian Hutton has raised more than €2,000 for the Lough Swilly RNLI.

The marked what would have been Brian’s 49th birthday. Family, friends and supporters took on the coastal route from Buncrana’s Shorefront to Stragill and back.

Brian passed away suddenly in December 2022, after falling ill while walking along the shores of Lough Swilly, a place he often returned to for sea swims and reflection.

A native of Derry, Brian began his journalism studies at NWRC before launching a successful career that spanned two decades, reporting for national and international outlets.

He started at the Belfast Telegraph in Derry in 2003, later joining the Press Association in Dublin, where he became deputy news editor. His bylines regularly appeared in major publications across Ireland, the UK and the US.

He moved back to the north west in 2017, settling in Inishowen. Writing for The Irish Times as a freelance journalist, Brian covered human interest stories and events on both sides of the border. He was also a founding co-director of independent radio production company Old Yard Productions.

Brian’s colleagues remembered him as a quietly determined and deeply talented journalist.

Deric Henderson, former Ireland editor of the Press Association, described him as “hugely gifted”. He said Brian was someone who “never failed to meet a deadline, no matter how tight”.

Irish President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute, describing Brian as a reporter who was “a fine journalist and known as a brilliant colleague with a reputation for reliability and a sensitive nature”.

“He will be missed by so many,” Mr Higgins said in a statement.

NWRC journalism lecturer, Seamus McKinney said Brian was one of the finest journalists of his generation.

“From his earliest days in the profession, Brian showed an honour and integrity in everything he did, always using his talents to help those without a voice,” Mr McKinney said.

Online donors also spoke fondly about their memories of Brian.

One donor said: “A noble dignity flowed from [Brian], so that time in [his] presence always seemed well spent.”

This year’s event, on May 17, was the third memorial walk held in his honour. Proceeds will be donated to different local causes.

Lough Swilly Lifeboat also expressed its thanks to organisers of the walk.

A spokeswoman said: “Many thanks to the family and friends of the late Brian Hutton who generously donated €2,150 to Lough Swilly RNLI following a sponsored walk in his memory.”

Donations towards the walk remain open until June 12: idonate.ie/fundraiser/walkforBrianHutton