A MUCH-loved Limerick teenager who has lost a leg in his battle with cancer is the subject of a fund-raising drive to make his home in Castletroy View a place where he can learn to adjust and pick up his life.
“Miles 4 Rian” is a charity event aiming to raise essential funds for St. Clement’s College student, Rian O’Halloran (16).Rian, an avid sportsman with St. Mary’s RFC and Shelbourne AFC, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in April.
Unfortunately, Rian lost his leg to the cancer and is now undergoing treatment in Crumlin Children’s Hospital as the cancer has spread.
Science teacher at St Clements, David Tidwell, is gearing up for a gruelling 24-hour challenge starting on December 2 to raise €50,000 towards the cost of altering the family home for Rian’s needs.
“He’s such a lovely positive, polite kind lad and so loves his sports. He is always smiling – a real go-getter,” David told the Limerick Post.
So far, the Go Fund Me page has raised more than €16,000 and David said “that’s because of Rian and the kind of person he is. He will have a lot of adjustments to make but this is one way we can do something to help.”
Rian has not yet been able to return to school but his teachers and school friends have not forgotten him.
David is hoping that teachers, students, friends and family of Rian’s will run a mile each beside him on the day or “hop on a bike and go along with me,” he said before adding that a lot will depend on Covid restrictions.
24 hours is a long time to run for someone who only started running in lockdown, but David has embarked on a training schedule running most nights to get in shape for the challenge.
Each “Mile with Meaning” will also be supported by a corporate sponsor. The event will be live-streamed with the sponsors being mentioned throughout the campaign.
Further information and a link to the campaign can be found at https://ie.gofundme.com/f/miles4rian
