A cause close to charity cruisers’ hearts
IAN Boyd will never forget the moment his 3dayold grandson was wheeled out of surgery at Starship Children’s Hospital — his chest wide open, exposing his beating heart, which was covered by only a sheet of clear plastic.
Lucas Evans was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart.
His chest was left open after the surgery, until the swelling went down, and then it was closed up again a few days later.
‘‘It was quite an emotional time,’’ Mr Boyd said.
‘‘I still have a wee giggle with him. I say: ‘I’ve seen your heart beating, Lucas’, and he lifts up his shirt and shows me his big zipper [surgical scar].
‘‘He’s a real battler.’’
It is a moment that will be playing on his mind as he and his wife, Averil, take part in the Southern Spin Charity Cruise today, which is raising funds for a charity that is very close to their hearts — Heart Kids Otago.
‘‘Starship and Heart Kids were so supportive while Lucas was having his surgeries,’’ Mrs Boyd said.
‘‘That’s why this event is so important to us.’’
While the event was a great way to raise funds for the organisation, they also saw it as an opportunity to celebrate how far Lucas had come.
Lucas loved going for rides in their red 1964 Ford Mustang (nicknamed Sally).
Mr Boyd said he brought it out of storage only on rare occasions, and he hoped Lucas would join them on today’s road trip.
‘‘We’ve had it up in storage in Central Otago, and we just haven’t used it for the last five years.
‘‘We’ve just been busy. There’s been other priorities in life.’’
One of those priorities was
Lucas, he said.
The classic car would be one of about 200 on the cruise, which starts at Forbury Park Raceway at 3pm.
Participants have been encouraged to dress in styles that match the manufacturing date of their car, and there will be prizes for the best vehicles in American, Australian, European, Asian, vintage, rod and bike categories.