A BRAVE boy who was born with a hole in his heart has inspired dozens of people to take in a 12-hour football-style fundraising challenge – with the support of a Morton hall of famer.
Inspirational Kieran Clenaghan, now six, underwent two open heart surgeries before his first birthday.
Now family and friends are helping to raise funds to support him through his recovery from the life-changing operations.
Parents Paula and Stephen were left devastated when they were told by doctors that they had discovered their son had a hole in his heart just six weeks after he was born.
By the time he had turned one, the Port Glasgow baby had already bravely recovered from a stroke, sepsis, and an intense 14-hour operation.
Kieran’s condition left him requiring a heart transplant, which has been successfully completed, and he now continues his recovery in Great Ormond Street Hospital for sick children.
Now a close friend is set to put their body on the line in the hope of raising some vital funds to help support the family and ease financial burdens.
Former Morton Supporters Liaison Officer, Steven King, will host in a 12-hour challenge on August 31 that is encouraging people to get active and socialise.
King’s ‘Fitbacise’, which he runs within Dargavel Football Academy, sees people of all ages and abilities combine fitness and football to get their heartrates going.
Steven told the Tele: “I’ve been really good mates with Kieran’s dad since we were in nursery.
“Fitbacise is something that I’ve been doing since the start of the summer, essentially, it’s the same as boxercise, just with football.
“It can be done at your own pace without affecting anyone beside you so it’s got a lot of people up and moving.
“We’re hoping to do it back-to-back from 6am-6pm down at Parklea, with one hour slots.
“We’ve got some groups who’ve taken full slots themselves, but there’s slots there for people to come along.
"The requirement is that they are sponsored for a minimum of £20 with all the money going to the Cleneghans.”
Steven said hopes that the people of Inverclyde will put their money where their mouth is with the opportunity to get in shape alongside Cappielow hall of famer Peter Weatherson.
He added: “Kieran’s only six and he’s had so many surgeries. He’s been on the transplant list for a while too.
"It’s ironic when you are asking folk to get active when the wee man’s battled away his whole life.
"I don’t know how Stephen and Pamela manage to deal with it all.
“I’ve been good pals with Peter since he was at Morton and he’s shown an interest in Fitbacise since it first started.
"When I asked him if he’d fancy coming down he couldn’t have said yes quick enough. He is booked in from 12pm-1pm.
“As much as I hope Morton fans see it as a great cause, it’s a chance to get a kickabout with a Morton hall of famer, who's good craic and getting behind such an inspirational boy.”
Kieran’s dad Stephen has been blown away by the support shown to him by the likes of Steven and Christopher Lynch, who has set up a go fund me page in support of the Cleneghan’s
The page sits at over £4,000 and Stephen said that no amount of thanks will repay the support they have been shown.
He added: “It’s just amazing. We’re so, so grateful for everyone that’s supported us.
“There’s no amount of thanks that’ll repay people for the support they've shown us. We’re so so grateful for everyone that’s supported us.
“We thought we had a good support network but we really are just speechless and grateful for the efforts that everyone’s gone too.”
If you wish to take part in the fundraiser you can contact Steven King on 07944756612.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel