Louise Moore
Louise is running a 10k for Niall
Fundraising for Children's Hospices Across Scotland, (CHAS)
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving Page and learn a little bit more about why I am raising money for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS). CHAS is a charity that is very close to the hearts of my family. Last January my little nephew Niall suffered a brain hemorrhage. Three months later Niall’s parents were told that he needed major brain surgery as the doctors had discovered he had a brain tumor. They also said that at this stage he wouldn’t live longer than a couple of months if he didn’t have the operation. The surgery was very dangerous and the implications were that it could leave Niall blind and/or in a wheelchair. I remember speaking to my brother, Jamie not long after he had been told this news, thinking that this was just the most horrofic news a parent could be told and then listening to Jamie tell me that the difference between having his son disabled or not having him at all was a no brainer. That he and his wife, Tracey would deal with anything that was thrown at them as long as they still had Niall. At this point I realised that Niall wasn't the only bravest person I had ever met, Jamie and Tracey were too. A week later, Jamie and Tracey were given the devastating news that their little boy (11 yeras old) had grade 4 terminal brain cancer, and that any plans they had with Niall should be done now, don’t wait.
Soon after, Niall began receiving massive blasts of chemo and radio therapy (which was incredibly frightening for him) but he never stood a chance. His biggest goal was to go on a family holiday in June. In all honestly I don’t think the doctors thought he would make the holiday but he proved them wrong. However, after we all returned from the trip, which I must add was amazing because Niall gave both our families the chance to share such special memories together, Niall was admitted to Robin House.
Robin House is a children’s hospice situated in Loch Lomond and run by CHAS. It’s a beautiful place made specifically for children with life limiting illnesses and their families. The support given to our family was incredible. You couldn't put a price on the level of care they provided. The nurses and care staff go above and beyond the support that you would ever expect to receive. Many of the staff are volunteers, but these people don't just give up an hour or two of their time, they donate days, and make Sunday dinners and provide home baking for families who don’t have the time or energy to do it themselves. But above the staff at Robin House help with the aspects of a child’s illness that can be quantified such as arranging the funeral.
I'm running the 10k in memory of my spectacular nephew, Niall who died last August, and for Robin House. Running the 10k isn’t anything different from what thousands of other people do to raise money. Yes its physically demanding if you’ve never done something like this before, and believe me I haven’t! But for me, the emotional aspect of running is far tougher than the physical. Every time I’m out running and listening to my music, songs that take me back to times in my life when I've been out with my friends drinking and dancing, family parties, my wedding day, my 21st birthday party, hen do’s, holidays and the list goes on, it makes me think how lucky I am that I have memories that remind of great times in my life that I’ll share with my children as I get older. Niall will never have this and that’s what makes me sad, in fact it makes me cry almost every time I run.
So please, please, please give what you can. Robin House is a much needed resource for children like Niall and their families, so dig out those pennies hiding in your sofa or get the coppers out of your piggy bank. I know we’re all skint but you never know when you might need something like this. We certainly never thought we'd need it.
Many, many thanks,
Louise xxx
Louise xxx
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