Darragh's Trust - Mizen to Malin cycle in 24 hours
Donation protected
Non Stop 24 Hour Charity Cycle in Memory of Darragh Guinevan (Darragh’s Trust).
On June the 19th I, Ger Cotter, will attempt to cycle from Mizen Head, Cork to Malin Head, Donegal in 24 hours in aid of Darragh’s Trust.
I will cycle alongside my three close friends Andy Ivory Corr, Kilkenny, James Forbes, Dublin and Hilda Hamilton, Dublin who are cycling to raise funds for Cycle Against Suicide. Each of us will cycle the full 580km journey independently.
It is both a privilege and an honour for me to cycle the length of our beautiful country in memory of Darragh, whose bravery, courage and determination shone brightly through all his precious time on this earth.
All of the funds raised from my cycle will go directly to Darragh’s Trust which is a Trust in Darragh’s name. The trust aims to raise valuable funds for the provision of enhanced facilities in the Puffin ward of the Cork University Hospital, where Darragh received wonderful care and dedication from the nurses and doctors throughout his life.
All of the monies raised in Darragh’s name will be his legacy to the Puffin ward and all of the special people who made such a difference to Darragh’s life.
Darragh’s parents Donagh and Gillian and his sister Aisling have put their thoughts on paper and penned Darragh’s story.
Darragh’s Story:
On March 27th 2008 our family was completed with the safe arrival of our only son Darragh at CUMH. Like every other baby he made a loud entrance weighing 9 pounds 1 once with a head of beautiful black hair.
We were on top of the world but little did we know the journey our beautiful, brave boy would take our little family on!
At two weeks old Darragh was booked in for an MRI on his brain and numerous clinical tests followed because he had presented with low muscle tone and had obvious feeding issues. We were then offered a nursing home support package which kept our home life somewhat manageable and Darragh received all the nursing care available to him in a home setting.
As time went on different challenges became apparent and before we knew it, we were dealing with a tiny little person that required around the clock care. No consultants knew what lay ahead but for the next twelve years the rollercoaster we were to ride on was to become our normal life with so many ups and downs and no day would be the same.
At eighteen months he presented with epilepsy and so numerous medications began to come to our door! Our brave boy was unable to weight bare, thus developing osteopenia, resulting in numerous hairline fractures in his femur and vertebrae.
Routine bone infusions helped to manage this dreadful condition going forward, also aided by the use of a hoist and a moulded wheelchair.
Because of his immobility Darragh’s chest was compromised which led to many visits to the children’s ward requiring emergency supports often having some very close calls and vigils spent by his bedside waiting for him to turn a corner.
Thankfully with the excellent care from the paediatric team on the Puffin Ward, Darragh always fought hard to survive. We built relationships like no other with so many doctors, nurses and staff many of whom were with us to the very end of our journey, some now family friends.
Throughout Darragh’s life our boy faced so many challenges, he was totally dependent because he was non-verbal, tube fed, suffered from epilepsy, osteopenia, chronic gut issues and had low muscle tone.
On 1st January this year our amazing, brave boy took his last breath on The Puffin Ward at CUH. We will never find enough words of gratitude towards every single person involved in Darragh’s care at CUH particularly in his final days.
Darragh passed peacefully on New Year’s Day at 9.50 am.
His memory will live on forever. x
On June the 19th I, Ger Cotter, will attempt to cycle from Mizen Head, Cork to Malin Head, Donegal in 24 hours in aid of Darragh’s Trust.
I will cycle alongside my three close friends Andy Ivory Corr, Kilkenny, James Forbes, Dublin and Hilda Hamilton, Dublin who are cycling to raise funds for Cycle Against Suicide. Each of us will cycle the full 580km journey independently.
It is both a privilege and an honour for me to cycle the length of our beautiful country in memory of Darragh, whose bravery, courage and determination shone brightly through all his precious time on this earth.
All of the funds raised from my cycle will go directly to Darragh’s Trust which is a Trust in Darragh’s name. The trust aims to raise valuable funds for the provision of enhanced facilities in the Puffin ward of the Cork University Hospital, where Darragh received wonderful care and dedication from the nurses and doctors throughout his life.
All of the monies raised in Darragh’s name will be his legacy to the Puffin ward and all of the special people who made such a difference to Darragh’s life.
Darragh’s parents Donagh and Gillian and his sister Aisling have put their thoughts on paper and penned Darragh’s story.
Darragh’s Story:
On March 27th 2008 our family was completed with the safe arrival of our only son Darragh at CUMH. Like every other baby he made a loud entrance weighing 9 pounds 1 once with a head of beautiful black hair.
We were on top of the world but little did we know the journey our beautiful, brave boy would take our little family on!
At two weeks old Darragh was booked in for an MRI on his brain and numerous clinical tests followed because he had presented with low muscle tone and had obvious feeding issues. We were then offered a nursing home support package which kept our home life somewhat manageable and Darragh received all the nursing care available to him in a home setting.
As time went on different challenges became apparent and before we knew it, we were dealing with a tiny little person that required around the clock care. No consultants knew what lay ahead but for the next twelve years the rollercoaster we were to ride on was to become our normal life with so many ups and downs and no day would be the same.
At eighteen months he presented with epilepsy and so numerous medications began to come to our door! Our brave boy was unable to weight bare, thus developing osteopenia, resulting in numerous hairline fractures in his femur and vertebrae.
Routine bone infusions helped to manage this dreadful condition going forward, also aided by the use of a hoist and a moulded wheelchair.
Because of his immobility Darragh’s chest was compromised which led to many visits to the children’s ward requiring emergency supports often having some very close calls and vigils spent by his bedside waiting for him to turn a corner.
Thankfully with the excellent care from the paediatric team on the Puffin Ward, Darragh always fought hard to survive. We built relationships like no other with so many doctors, nurses and staff many of whom were with us to the very end of our journey, some now family friends.
Throughout Darragh’s life our boy faced so many challenges, he was totally dependent because he was non-verbal, tube fed, suffered from epilepsy, osteopenia, chronic gut issues and had low muscle tone.
On 1st January this year our amazing, brave boy took his last breath on The Puffin Ward at CUH. We will never find enough words of gratitude towards every single person involved in Darragh’s care at CUH particularly in his final days.
Darragh passed peacefully on New Year’s Day at 9.50 am.
His memory will live on forever. x
Fundraising team (4)
Ger Cotter
Organizer
County Cork
Claire Fitzpatrick
Beneficiary
Daniel Cotter
Team member
Jess Cotter
Team member
Ryan Crowley
Team member
