April 2026 is the month that Dad would finish his position with Harvey Group and start his new career path with Nugent on the New Childrens Hospital at the RVH Belfast. Little did we know as a family we would all have an earlier start on-site...

Our typical Easter 2026 break had a trip to Portrush in the caravan planned and also to commence the replumb of our new home renovation, all planned, all under control...

On return from Portrush our youngest of 2 daughters Francesca had developed symptoms that would change us as a family forever. Consultations in Lagan Valley and the Ulster Hospital would see us blue lighted to the Childrens Hospital at RVH. Francesca had been diagnosed with a 9cm brain tumour, something that had been there since birth. Waking up in the RVH as a family is something that will never leave us, somehow it being the worst feeling in the world to somewhat the best and only place you wanted to be with your sick daughter. Nothing in life will ever prepare you for the uncertainty of MRI scans nor putting your 2 year old baby to sleep for a days brain operation...there are only so many times you can walk the Boucher Road!

Francesca is currently doing well and with consultations continuing she will forever give us and those around her the inspiration and strength needed, our little Superhero to Mum, Dad, Harriet, close family and our wider circle of family and friends. Oh and Wolfgang the dog :)

We will be forever in debt for all those in the Paul Ward and PICU who contributed toward Frans initial consultation, procedure and recovery. There is no doubt at times the NHS can come under scrutiny but the treatment that Fran received and the care taken for us as a family we will forever be in debt. The least we can do as a family is to raise some funds for those kids and families that need it the most.

Link to fundraising event as follows:

https://www.strava.com/routes/3484541905715268690

Please contact me for further details if you wish to join for the full ride or some miles on the day, 07912061319.

TEAM FRAN! <3

By supporting Little Heroes, you will be helping to purchase vital new equipment to diagnose and treat the hospital’s young patients, to provide facilities and services for families to fund research into children’s illnesses whilst championing our ‘Big Heroes’ - the dedicated paediatric healthcare professionals at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.