Fire-walk success in ‘Supporting Sean’ event

A fire-walking fundraiser held in Limavady to raise awareness of organ donation and to raise money for a 28-year-old suffering from kidney failure has been hailed as a huge success.
Supporters, family friends and fellow firewalkers look on as the firewalk raises funds  for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enabling dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant.  Donations were also for the support of the Renal Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital. INLV3215-171KDRSupporters, family friends and fellow firewalkers look on as the firewalk raises funds  for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enabling dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant.  Donations were also for the support of the Renal Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital. INLV3215-171KDR
Supporters, family friends and fellow firewalkers look on as the firewalk raises funds for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enabling dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. Donations were also for the support of the Renal Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital. INLV3215-171KDR

Sean McKeever’s life was changed forever just two months ago, when he was told both his kidneys had failed.

The 28-year-old quantity surveyor described the news as “devastating”.

For Sean, the diagnosis came as even more of a shock because of the active lifestyle he had been leading up to that point. He was a member of Limavady Wolfhounds GAC and enjoys playing golf.

Support for the fundraising firwalkers as they turn out tohelp raise funds for Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enabling dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-169KDRSupport for the fundraising firwalkers as they turn out tohelp raise funds for Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enabling dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-169KDR
Support for the fundraising firwalkers as they turn out tohelp raise funds for Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enabling dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-169KDR

Sean is now receiving dialysis, and is being trained to administer home dialysis so in time he can return to work.

He said the support since his illness became apparent news has been brilliant, and not just from his family, girlfriend and close friends, but from others.

Sean said: “It means a lot that people are going out of their way to help you. It definitely gives you a lift.”

Brian McNicholl, one of the volunteers who helped organise the event, said: “I know Sean through the Gaelic club. He is a really good chap, just a nice young man. Everyone wanted to help. Unfortunately, because of the tragic events he is out of work at the minute.

Eilis McElhinney and Niamh Douglas pictured at the Fundraiser for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enable him to have dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-166KDREilis McElhinney and Niamh Douglas pictured at the Fundraiser for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enable him to have dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-166KDR
Eilis McElhinney and Niamh Douglas pictured at the Fundraiser for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enable him to have dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-166KDR

“The money raised is for Sean, that’s why we called it ‘Supporting Sean’ but I know he is making a donation to the renal service.

“It was to raise awareness of organ donation and it was for the community as well, to bring the community together.

“This is something that knocks on everyone’s door. He is a good lad and everybody you talk to has a really good word on him. When he was fit and well he would have done anything for you.

“I’m just a volunteer myself and there were many other people like me who helped out.

Mary Higgins, Sarah McMichael, Donah Cassidy, with Danny Higgins pictured enjoying the Fundraiser for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enable him to have dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-165KDRMary Higgins, Sarah McMichael, Donah Cassidy, with Danny Higgins pictured enjoying the Fundraiser for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enable him to have dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-165KDR
Mary Higgins, Sarah McMichael, Donah Cassidy, with Danny Higgins pictured enjoying the Fundraiser for the support of Limavady resident Sean McKeever in need of equipment enable him to have dialysis at home while he awaits a kidney transplant. INLV3215-165KDR

“We had 50 volunteers to do the firewalk but I think there were 42 in the end up - some of them maybe took fear when it came to it!

“Cathal McCrudden and friends were doing the door and you had the Core MedicalGroup there who volunteered their services.

“To be fair to Donald Morgan at the Alexander Arms, they really pulled out all the stops and the hospitality was second to none.

Donald Morgan, owner of the Alexander Arms, said: “It was a fantastic event and everyone had great fun. Really, the event was about the whole cause of organ donation and trying to raise awareness, as well as helping Sean. The children had great fun at it too but unfortunately it was fun in the rain.”

The event took place on Friday evening (June 31, 2015).

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