Bryan’s Belgian Blue fundraising campaign
Close-knit communities of Moyvore, Milltown and Ballymore have come together to organise a fundraising campaign for a nine-year-old child with a rare neurological disease.
Bryan’s Belgian Blue Fundraising campaign is the brainchild of the Westmeath communities to support Bryan Pendred, Mearsecourt.
Bryan became critically ill last September. He was due to start third class in Milltown, NS, and make his first holy communion at the end of the month.
Unfortunately, just days after purchasing his communion suit in Sullivan’s Menswear in Mullingar, he was transferred to ICU in Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
After weeks of tests, he was eventually diagnosed with a rare neurological disease, NMDA receptor encephalitis.
The disease, first identified by the University of Pennsylvania in 2007, affects one in every 1.5 million.
According to the university, the body creates antibodies against NMDA receptors in the brain. As a result, they disrupt normal brain signalling and cause brain swelling or encephalitis.
Bryan has spent the last two months in Crumlin, where its medical, nursing and care staff “continue to do everything they can to get him better”.
In a statement, organisers said:
“Bryan is a talented sportsman who plays football with Millmore Gaels mentored by his mum Sarah, hurls with Fr. Dalton’s, and plays rugby with Mullingar Rugby Club.”
“He also has a keen interest in farming. With that in mind, committee members discussed the possibility of raffling a breeding heifer, and so the campaign started.”
“We approached businesses, and the support people have shown so far has been incredible.”
Bryan’s Belgian Blue fundraising campaign
Some prizes include:
- Belgian Blue breeding heifer;
- €1, 000 Husqvarna voucher from C.L. Hire;
- Manchester United tickets donated by Crewe Orlando;
- Other prizes from spa days to beauty packages and vouchers.
“The committee is extremely grateful to everyone who has supported the fundraiser in any way, donating prizes, buying tickets or sharing their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.”
The raffle will take place on December 4th in McCauley’s, Moyvore. Tickets are €10, and you can purchase online at www.bryansbelgianblue.com or in local shops:
- McCawley’s and J.Grennan & Sons in Moyvore;
- Rooney’s and Cunningham’s in Ballymore
Alternatively, you can purchase tickets from any committee member. Besides, you can make donations through its website or to committee members.
