I am taking on the challenge of doing 1000km's in 28 days to raise money for the Mater Hospital Heart and Lung Department in memory of my Mother, Una Lacey.



My mother was an extraordinary woman.

She was full of life, laughter, dance and song (even though she didn't know the words, she still sang along). She had a fantastic sense of humour, and turned every occasion into a massive celebration.

She worked hard her whole life in order to give me and my brother the opportunities she never had, and she never asked for anything in return.

She was the strongest woman I will ever know. Even in the face of serious adversity and illness, her resilience and strength to keep fighting her illness shone through, until the very end.

She had a generous spirit. If there was an opportunity to give back or help those in need, she would be the first person to put her hands in her pocket or volunteer her time. Never wanting people to know she was doing it. Whether it be donating to blind children in Africa, or buying sleeping bags for homeless people on Bray beach, she loved helping others in need. She was dignified and proud.

When my Mam passed away on 26th April in the Mater Hospital, she was not just surrounded by her family, she was surrounded by her friends too.

The doctors and nurses who took care of my Mother were exemplary in how a person with a serious illness should be treated. With warmth, compassion, dignity and respect. And for that, I will be eternally grateful to all the staff in the Heart and Lung Ward who took care of my mother (or Winnie as they liked to call her).

After her lung transplant 4 years ago, she got a bonus lease of life that gave her an opportunity to see her grandchildren grow up and to spend more time with her family - who loved her with all their heart, and she loved them back just the same.

After the lung transplant, the illnesses unfortunately started to creep back in, and my Mother was in this ward a lot in her later years. Everybody involved tried their best to give my mother the best life she could possibly have through her illnesses - and for that my family, my Mother and I will forever be thankful.

So in the spirit of my mother's generous heart, her resilience to keep fighting and her sheer determination to get through any setback which she encountered (of which there were unfortunately way too much) I am taking on the challenge of covering 1000km's in the space of 28 days, with all donations going towards the Mater Heart and Lung Transplant in the memory of my dearest Mother, Una (Winnie) Lacey.

I know she would be absolutely thrilled to give back to all those wonderful people who took care of her so well in the last few years, and she would be extremely proud of me for doing this for her - so I am.

I will love you dearly Mam for the rest of my life, and I know you will be with me for every step of the way..

Love now and forever,

Gav.