Dad to walk 100km in memory of kind Leah
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A FATHER will be taking on a 100km walk from Tallaght to Ferns, Co Wexford, next weekend, in memory of his “sporty, kind and generous” daughter, who passed away in 2013, three weeks after her 7th birthday, and to raise funds for charity.
Aylesbury man Tom Kelly undertakes a walking challenge every year in memory of his daughter Leah, who was a pupil in Scoil Santain, and who passed away after losing her battle with cancer eight months after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Tom has previously walked the length of Ireland, and also from Dublin to Killarney, to raise funds for Barretstown and Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, two charities that helped him and his family while Leah was ill.
Tom estimates that he has raised in excess of €50,000 for the charities over the years, and he hopes to raise €5,000 during this year’s walk.
Speaking to The Echo, Tom said: “I’ve done a walk every year since Leah passed away. We do it in Leah’s memory and to support the two charities that helped us, Barretstown and Aoibheann’s Pink Tie.
“Leah was an amazing little girl, and she died three weeks after her 7th birthday.
“She was sporty and a great swimmer, she had a very kind and generous personality and she was so fun to be around.
“She was intelligent beyond her years, and we all miss her terribly.”
When asked about a standout memory that reflected Leah’s personality, Tom said that shortly before Leah passed away they were planning to go on a boat trip and were talking about having to wear lifejackets.
Leah asked her parents if the boat trip was safe, and when they replied that it was, she said, “If it’s so safe then why do we need lifejackets?”
During the course of Leah’s illness and after she passed away, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie and Barretstown supported the young girl and her family, and Tom knows the impact that the money he continues to raise for the charities will have.
“It’s an incredible feeling [to be raising so much money for the two charities],” said Tom, “because I know where the money goes as I’ve been on the receiving end of their support.”
She’ll be looking down at me
When Tom starts the two-day 100km challenge on Saturday, September 29, his young daughter will be at the forefront of his mind.
“I imagine she’ll be looking down at me, going, ‘What are you thinking?’,” laughed Tom. “I know she’ll be there with me.”
A coffee morning will be held in the junior hall in Scoil Santain on Thursday, September 27, at 9.10am in memory of Leah and to support Tom in his 100km trek.
You can donate money to Aoibheann’s Pink Tie and Barretstown in support of Tom through his online fundraising page at https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11371529_footprints-for-leah-2018.html
