Brave Little Blue Hero Kevin receives ‘honorary garda’ hat
By Maurice Garvey
A YOUNG boy battling a life-limiting medical condition was made a Little Blue Hero this week.
Gardai conducted a drive by at the home of Kevin Lindsay (10), from Cuthbert’s Meadow in Clondalkin to mark the occasion – presenting him with a special ‘honorary garda’ hat.
Sisters Rebecca and Jessica Lindsay, Dave Rutledge, Petra Lindsay Rutledge and Kevin Lindsay with gardai from Clondalkin Garda Station
Kevin has spastic quadriplegic, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and renal calculi, is non-verbal and has to be fed via a peg tube.
Little Blue Heroes got in contact with Kevin’s special needs assistant after seeing a GoFundMe page for the youngster.
Kevin’s parents Dave Rutledge and Petra Lindsay Rutledge set up the page to raise money for a wheelchair adapted vehicle.
The GoFundMe page is also to raise money for private intensive physiotherapy in Northern Ireland that Kevin will need after an operation he is due to undergo on his tendons.
Kevin’s family bought an adapted van a few years ago, but it started to become very unreliable and is prone to breakdowns.
They moved into their new council home before Christmas, but all of their savings have gone into renovations to make the home accessible for Kevin.
Little Blue Heroes Foundation only considers applications for children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.
Kevin’s uncle Keith Brady said the annual Little Blue Heroes ceremony has been affected by Covid-19, but Kevin will receive his garda uniform in the post.
As of Monday, Kevin’s GoFundMe page has raised over €3,500.
Donations can be made at GoFundMe.
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