Craanford raises an incredible €4,501 for Cappagh for Kids unit
THE community of Craanford came together for a very special cause when they were asked to ‘walk a mile for Cappagh kids’ and together about 200 people did two laps of the pitch at Craanford GAA grounds and made donations along the way.
It was all to show solidarity with 16 year old Abbie Byrne and her family, from Island Middle, Craanford, as she has been receiving treatment for scoliosis and her final life-changing operation took place last week.
Still in recovery for some time, Abbie is now looking forward to getting back to being her usual self, as she enjoys sport and plays camogie for Craanford.
Abbie’s mother Elaine Byrne said that she had every faith in the community of Craanford to come out and support, but she was surprised when those who could not attend the event went out the night before and did laps, while others made online donations.
‘The support from Craanford is always just phenomenal, no matter what the cause is. From the walk we raised just over €4,500 which was unbelievable, even they can’t believe it up here in the hospital. It was just a great thing to do and the phone hasn’t stopped this week with people wishing us well and lighting candles for Abbie.
‘I just want to thank the community of Craanford, it is just brilliant’.
Abbie was first diagnosed at age 12, and she spent time in hospitals across the south east in Wexford and Waterford, as well as Temple Street and eventually Cappagh Hospital.
Elaine explained that her surgery would be quicker in Cappagh, and so a surgeon from Temple street performed the surgery at Cappagh, which is a hospital that mainly deals with adult patients.
‘Cappagh have just been fantastic, from the very first day. As a family we wanted to give Cappagh Hospital back something as so along with hospital guidance, we arranged the event hoping to raise funds to open a new child and family friendly department of paediatric orthopaedics for kids all over Ireland’.
Elaine said that she hopes with the large donation now given to the Cappagh Hospital Foundation, that the hospital will be able to invest and build the Cappagh for Kids unit, which aims to modernise the space and making more child friendly.
Abbie’s family have seen her suffer with asthma, chest infections and her lungs being crushed by the crippling condition which resulted in curvature of the spine.
‘In childhood Abbie did gymnastics and had to give that up, and doing sport she would tire quicker than others. We hope that she will be back on form and ready to play sport again next year,’
‘Abbie is a brilliant teenager, she’s quirky and really a model student.
‘Even coming up to surgery, she has been no problem and nothing phased her, in fact she took it in her stride.
‘She would make a few jokes about the condition, the nurses in the ICU commented that she was the first patient that had seen that came up smiling after surgery as she always has a smile on her face as she is very positive thinking,’ said Elaine.
When Abbie is up to it, staff from Cappagh Hospital hope to visit Craanford to say thank you to those who took part, but for now the Byrne family are just thrilled that Abbie can recover and go on being a teenager.
‘The doctors were all very happy with her surgery and we hope now that this will give her a new lease of life. The hospital has been like a home, the staff have been brilliant. All we can say is thank you’.