The family of a much-loved Coleraine woman are embarking on a weekend of fundraising in the hope of raising £45,000 for a mental health charity in her memory.

And, well known actor James Nesbitt has also thrown his weight behind the fundraiser, recording a video encouraging the public to get involved in the events in memory of Anita Culbertson.

Anita – a wife, mother, daughter and sister – was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025 which resulted in her experiencing severe depression.

In their JustGiving page, Anita’s family wrote: “As a family we had never experienced our mum facing mental health issues and for the next two months we pulled together reaching out to the NHS and any services available to get our mum back on track.

placeholder image — Anita Culberton, whose family have organised a fundraiser in aid of the Hummingbird Project, in her memory.

"Navigating a new cancer diagnoses, teamed up with a spiral in mental health, is the toughest thing we have ever experienced and to watch our loving, bright, vivacious, caring mum struggle, and feel so terrified of what was in front of her, was awful. Sadly on the 8th January 2026, our mum felt that she could no longer carry on and took her own life.

"You never think it will be you, you never think it will be your family.”

Now Anita’s family are preparing for a five mile coastal walk on Sunday, September 6, to try to raise £30,000 for the work of the Hummingbird Project, a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Portstewart.

The Project works to raise the standard in “accountable, change making solutions in the mental health sector through education, information provision and therapeutic treatment in one-to-one, group, in-person and online settings.”

The coastal walk will begin at a meeting point at Kelly’s Portrush from where participants will be bussed to the Pits in Portstewart for the start of the walk.

The shuttle buses will run from 9.30-11.30am from the car park. Walkers will be divided into groups of 30, each supported by marshals and the route map will be provided on the day.

Donations – which already stand at £24,000 – can be made via: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/anita-culbertson-1

As well as the walk, a Coleraine business, where Anita’s son-in-law is managing director, has organised a fundraising Padel playing event.

Triex of Coleraine have organised ‘Padel with a Purpose’ on Friday, September 4, from 10am-2pm at Powerhouse Padel Coleraine.

Local businesses will come together, bringing four players per business, competing as two doubles pairs.

Businesses can also support the event through sponsorship, with sponsor banners displayed around the courts.

With a target of £15,000, the organisers said: “Anita was a devoted wife, mum, mother-in-law, sister and aunt, but those words only begin to describe what she meant to those around her.

"Her warmth, personality and love for others left a lasting impression on so many, and her loss has been felt not only by her family and friends, but throughout the wider community.

"This cause is incredibly close to our hearts at Triex. Anita was family to key members of our team, including her son-in-law Mark, our Managing Director, and her loss has been deeply felt throughout the business.

"In Anita's memory, we want to turn an incredibly difficult time into something positive by bringing our local business community together to support The Hummingbird Project NI – a local organisation providing mental health support to people when they need it most.

"Our hope is that the funds raised will help support vital services for those experiencing mental health struggles or crisis, as well as the families supporting them.”

l To donate to Padel with a Purpose, go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/triex-limited