Two events help raise funds for young Alex for life-changing heart surgery

Two events help raise funds for young Alex for life-changing heart surgery

By Aimee Walsh

TWO fundraising events took place last weekend to raise money for life-saving heart surgery for a young boy, Alex.

As reported in The Echo last week, 7-year-old Alex Conway from Ballyfermot was born with myocardial infarction, which is also known as congestive heart failure.

Alex Fundraiser2 a 1

Alex (7) needs life-saving heart surgery

A GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds for Alex and his parents Karen and Andy to travel to Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK for heart surgery.

At the time of going to print the GoFundMe amount raised was almost €30,000, with donations from the events still being counted.

Last Saturday, April 24, the two events took place – a 42-kilometre cycle in Inchicore and a 7-kilometre walk in the Phoenix Park.

There was a great turn out of people participating in both events, socially distanced, with many donning t-shirst with the slogan ‘Save a heart by taking part – Alex Army’.

Speaking with The Echo, Alex’s dad Andy said the turn out for both events was incredible.

“The cycle went very well, there was 40 plus people and we got an absolutely fantastic response from it. There was just so much support from people we didn’t even know doing the cycle, and close family and friends.

“We were stopped a couple of times by passersby basically asking what it was for and there was some generous donations on the way, it was amazing.

“It was very similar for the walk. I wasn’t on it because I did the cycle, and it took two and a half hours to do the cycle.

“The walk – there was about 80 plus people and again same situation people were stopping to hear about the story and donating as well.

“All round it was a fantastic weekend, the response was absolutely amazing.

“We just didn’t realise how many people are behind it with such a small community where we come from.”

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