Spinathon raises vital cash for little India’s medical care
Siobhan Kelly, Matthew Walsh, Rapha Smyth, Hud Kelly, Kate Kelly and Ber Lawlor
DOYLE’S Royal Oak Stores was the centre of a spinning universe recently when a charity event involving gym bikes took place there.
A spinathon, involving four bikes and scores of ready participants, was the event organised in aid of a little girl called India Smyth.
India (3) has been treated for a Stage 4 Neuroblastoma and has undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery and she’s now cancer-free, thanks to the wonderful team of medical experts at Crumlin Children’s Hospital and St Luke’s Hospital, Dublin.
With the type of cancer that India had, there’s a chance that it might return, so her parents Kate Kelly and Aonghus Smyth want the very best chance for their daughter. India is currently taking part in clinical trials at the Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York. She has been there twice already for treatment and is due to go back shortly, with more trips planned for next year.
The whole venture is very costly, so the family have set up a GoFundMe page to raise €500,000. They plan to donate any money left over to the Gavin Glynn Foundation, Crumlin Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital and Neuroblastoma research.
The event was organised by Ciara McDermott, Catherine Blake, Jack Coogan and members of the Treacy family, while Patric Treacy of Patric Injury Clinic and Fitness Centre gave them a loan of the bikes.
All the supporters wore t-shirts with India’s photo on them, thanks to the sponsorship of Solar Signs in Bagenalstown.
India herself couldn’t make the trip to Bagenalstown with her mother, Kate and baby brother Rapha, but she’s in great form. “India is brilliant. Everything is very positive. She’s just as a three-year-old little girl should be,” said her uncle Hud Kelly.
If you’d like to donate to the fund, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-india-reach-new-york-for
