Callander fun day remembers Chloe

Aug 13 2010 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Friday

BABY Chloe McIntyre will be in the thoughts of everyone on Saturday at an event in Callander in her memory.

A 5K fun run has being organised by her family as a tribute to the little girl, who sadly passed away at Yorkhill Hospital in May 2008 aged six weeks and two days old due to a heart condition.

Since then mum Janet and dad John have worked tirelessly raising vital funds for Yorkhill Children's Foundation through a variety of fundraising events.

The McIntyres, who have a nine-month-old son John, have already raised around £5000 for the Chloe McIntyre Memorial Fund at Yorkhill Children's Foundation.

The 5K fun run and walk is being organised in collaboration with the McLaren Rugby Club 20 Year Anniversary Fun Day tomorrow at Callander Primary School, starting at 11am.

Entrants are invited to walk, stroll or run the 5K route and all children who participate will be presented with a medal at the finish line. Everyone is invited to join in what is hoped to be a fantastic, fun themed day in celebration of Chloe.

The family fun day will also be filled with lots of activities for both adults and children including an inflatable assault course, sumo wrestling, stalls, raffles, a barbecue and much more.

Chloe was born with a heart condition called Truncas Arteriosis, and spent a lot of time in the Intensive Care Unit and the cardiology ward at Yorkhill Hospital.

Mum Janet said: “We miss Chloe every second of every day and our lives will never be the same again without her.

“Raising funds for Yorkhill Children's Foundation enables us to make a real and lasting difference, helping more babies and children with similar conditions to Chloe. We would like to thank everyone for their support so far, and encourage as many people as possible to sign up for Chloe's Fun Run.”

Dad John said: “This promises to be fantastic family day and we would be so happy for people to enjoy it with us and help raise as much money as we can in memory of Chloe.

“Chloe underwent successful open heart surgery at four weeks old but due to certain complications was placed on an ECMO (life support) machine after the surgery and fought hard for the next two weeks through lots of ups and downs. She managed to get off the machine on the afternoon of May 14 but unfortunately our excitment was short lived.

“Our lives will never be the same again. We still cant believe shes not here and think about her every second of every day.

“There are a lot of very good doctors and nurses in the hospital who helped Chloe and both Janet and I, and we would like to now try and do something that will help babies with similar conditions to Chloe and try to raise funds to purchase equipment in memory of Chloe for all the other cardiac babies.

“Any donation made will be greatly appreciated and will hopefully go towards making a difference in helping more babies like Chloe.”

Yorkhill Children's Foundation provides enhanced medical equipment and resources which benefit sick children and babies who are treated at Yorkhill Hospital and within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

These can include innovative medical equipment, improvements in child and family facilities and paediatric research and training.

Shona Cardle, chief executive of Yorkhill Children's Foundation, said: “We would like to thank Janet and John for all their support, and to encourage as many people as possible to sign up for what we hope will become an annual event in Callander.

“The money raised at this event will make a real and lasting difference, so, thank you!”

For more information about the event telephone 0141 201 6917, or anyone who would like to make an online donation can go to the secure Just Giving site at www.justgiving.com/John-McIntyre1