Aidan Reilly has regularly taken part in the Mosspaul ride out, a 28 mile round trip which is a long established tradition in his home town of Hawick in the Scottish borders. Now the 30 year old police officer has decided to run the course to raise money for CLDF in memory of his friend’s little sister.
Codie Mc Cartney suffered liver failure when she was 13 months old and was just two when she died in 2007, despite having undergone three liver transplants. It was a sad and difficult time which Aidan remembers all too clearly.
“I’ve been close friends with Codie’s sister, Siobhan, all my life. She was like a sister to me growing up and I was there for her when Codie was going through her treatment to try and support her as much as I could. I remember her family having to travel to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where Codie was being treated and I know they received a lot of support and information from Children’s Liver Disease Foundation,” says Aidan.
“The time now seems right to take on a fundraising challenge in Codie’s memory and running to Mosspaul has always appealed to me. I have ridden there 15 times so it will be interesting to see how I get on running!”
A keen runner and footballer, who has already completed five half marathons, Aidan knows that the Mosspaul challenge which takes place on May 25, will be special.
“Codie’s family are helping me raise as much money as possible for this charity,” he says. “Some family members will be doing a few miles with me which is great. And my eight year old son, Lawrie and his friends will also be joining me for the last two miles which could get a little emotional but it will be worth it. I’m delighted to have already smashed my £1,000 fundraising target. Now I just want to raise as much as I can.”
Siobhan White, Codie’s sister, says that she and her family are hugely touched by Aidan’s gesture:
“We were teenagers when Codie was going through all her treatment. Aidan was there for me then and it’s wonderful that he’s remembering Codie now by raising funds and awareness for this small and less well known charity. My mum has told me about the support she and Codie’s dad received when Codie was in hospital and it’s wonderful to think that Aidan’s challenge will be helping other families in that situation and that something positive is coming out of such a difficult time.”
Michelle Wilkins, Head of Services at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation commented: “Although great strides have been made in the treatment of childhood liver disease over the years, Codie’s story illustrates how serious it is and there many families whose lives have been affected by it who need our support. Aidan’s fundraiser is not only a wonderful way to remember a special little girl but will enable us to continue our work providing information to families and healthcare professionals and emotional support to young people affected by liver disease throughout the UK. We wish him all the best for the day!”
Story update
We’re delighted to report that not only did Aidan complete his run but raised over £3,000 with donations still coming in.
” The support I have received has been overwhelming from start to finish! The whole challenge was made easier with everyone who joined me on the day – it felt like a true team effort. I’m amazed and grateful for the support I’ve been shown and the buzz is definitely still there. I would do it all over again for this amazing charity!”
You can still support Aidan’s challenge at Fundraiser by Aidan Reilly : Run with Reilly! (gofundme.com)
