Aged 41yrs, married to Catherine with two very young children Rose & Dominic, I was an active referee involved in Local , County & National GAA football. At the start of 2012, I felt shortness of breath whilst training for the National Referees fitness test. In April that year, I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy which had caused my heart to enlarge and it was working at less than 20% of its capacity. Amongst a number of losses, I was no longer able to referee.

I continued to be involved in the GAA by taking on the role of Antrim Referees Secretary as well as being a member of Antrim CCC. I was also invited to join the National Referees Advisory Panel and further became a National Referees Tutor.

Following 6 years of living with heart failure managed by the expertise of Craigavon Hospital & Royal Papworth Hospital, I needed a lifesaving transplant . I received the call my family & friends had been hoping for; the call telling us that a suitable heart had become available. I had this lifesaving surgery on News Years Day 2018.

Fewer than half of the 250 people a year in need of a heart transplant in the UK find a viable donor in time. That’s why I am raising money to help fund the hospital’s pioneering ‘ Non-beating heart ‘ transplant programme which enables surgeons to use donor hearts which were previously not viable. Charitable funding supports the hospital to provide care beyond that of NHS funding.

I also want to demonstrate that I am living life to the full and mine has always been enriched by my love of GAA games . If I meet this challenge, it is also testament to the legacy of the gift made to me by my donor .