Hey folks, thank you for taking the time to read our story.💚🤍

As most of you know on the 2nd of April 2021 we tragically lost our beautiful Son and Brother Liam to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Liam was just 19 years of age a vibrant, fit, healthy young man. Liam was the most happy of people you could meet, studying at the North West Regional College in Derry Liam had been accepted for both Queens University In Belfast and Glasgow's Caledonian University (a hard decision he would have had choosing one of these places) to further his studies in a career of Art and Animation. Liam lead a simple happy life, working on music with his band White Lighter, playing the PlayStation with his mates, and following his beloved football team Glasgow Celtic. He didn't want or look for nothing in life. Liam was a gifted child in his art skills, this was very evident from an early age. You would always find him drawing or with a roll of cello tape and carboard box making and creating something of a master piece. His art progressed to be nothing short of outstanding. Achieving an A in his leaving Cert Art exams he knew where he wanted to go with this in life.  Liam had the most beautiful eyes and smile that lit up a room one that no one could say no to, the kindest, most polite, gentlest, loving soul there was. Loved by all his family on both sides of the water and by all his amazing friends in Ireland and further afield.  A lad we are and always will be proud to call our Son.  

Liam had everything going for him in life he was learning to drive, looking forward to planned concerts with his friends, many a road trip out and planning the new University life, when everything was cruelly taken from him. All his hopes and dreams gone and stolen from us aswell!
Nothing could have prepared us for what happened on that day of April 2nd or what potentially lay ahead us. This became our journey into a lot of unchartered waters learning the depths of SADs trying to understand and process it all.

Here in Ireland when a family losses someone so young in adulthood to such a condition the immediate family are put forward for cardiac testing. Myself (Adele Liam's mum), His Dad( Liam Snr) and two Sisters (Caoimhe & Lily Grace) began our journey with Mater Foundation ,The Family Heart Screening Clinic in Dublin in October 2021. 

for many families SADS deaths can be unexplained however it is estimated that one third of Irish families who have been affected by SADS may have an inherited or genetic heart condition such as Channelopathy, in short this is a disease of the electrical system of the heart, the most common problem found on screening is Long QT Syndrome.

The service we received at the Heart House Clinic has been some what exceptional. When we began our tests as a family back in October I naively thought that there was nothing to be seen on any of us, we were all fit and healthy people. I was wrong!! At present Both Liam's Dad Liam Snr and younger Sister Lily Grace have both presented with small issues of Long QT Syndrome...without the heart Screening tests we received this would never have been discovered. Both Liam and Lily Grace are now receiving more medical tests with the team in Dublin, they hope to build a bigger family picture with genetic and medical testing to allow the best course of action moving forward for them both. We will always be the most grateful family to have received these life saving tests, but the bitter sweet of it all is our boy Liam never got that opportunity.

The Heart House Clinic is funded by generous donations to the Mater Foundation they rely on as much public donations as possible. With this in mind I wanted to do something to thank them for the care my family have received from them, a fund raiser came to mind and what better way to remember Liam whilst raising funds in his name for such a worthy cause. 

On the 24th of April 2022 Myself ( Adele) and Liam's Sister Caoimhe along with Liam's Aunts and family friends from both Glasgow and Donegal will be taking part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk. This is a 36Km walk which begins in Glasgow's Glasgow Green and finishes at the shores of Balloch in Loch Lomond.  The Kiltwalk became the chosen challenge because of Liam's love for Glasgow and his fond wearing of his tartan trousers 😉.  This is by no means and easy task, at present us Ladies are building up our walking kms, however the winds and rain are not making it one bit easy 🌧️🌬️🤭😬.

We really hope that you all might donate a little something to this fundraiser, anything no matter how small is greatly appreciated. We hope that the donations we raise can help the Heart House Clinic to help many other families who find themselves in need of their life saving screening tests. We truly wish that no other family had to walk in our shoes but sadly this is just not possible but with the help and care they could receive at the Heart House Clinic it may soften the burden they have to carry.

Thank you so much to everyone who has took the time to read our story and a massive thank you in advance to anyone who can help donate. If anyone would like to join us on the Kiltwalk please feel free to get in touch and I can give you as much Information as possible everyone is welcome. (for anyone who can't make the trip to Glasgow the walk can be done with your own groups in your own towns and cities)

Lets Light up for Liam and Do it for those who can't.

💚🤍

Thanks again everyone

Adele and Family xxxx