Fundraising night to be held in memory of Craig

A
NORTHSIDE woman is holding a fundraising night next month in memory of her son
who died earlier this year.

Craig
Brady, from Ferrycarrig Road, Coolock, passed away on March 8 after a battle
with cancer. He was just eight-years-old.

His
mother, Tanya, is holding the event at Parnell’s GAA Club in Coolock Village on
Friday, November 11, to raise funds for St Francis Hospice Raheny.

Tanya
and her family have already raised

?¬12,000 for charities this year, including

?¬5,000 for Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, from a benefit
night.

She said
the fundraising keeps her going and helps her to cope with her only child’s
death.

Tumour

“Craig
was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2008,

? Tanya told Northside
People.

“He had
never been sick before. He was only after starting back in school. One day he
came home and fell asleep on the bed which is something he never did.

“He said
he wasn’t feeling well and we took him to Beaumont Hospital. They found he had
a brain tumour and he was operated on two days later.

Difficult

“He had
a very difficult journey and had to receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“I had
just buried my brother John who was only 46 when he died in the Mater Hospital.

“Craig
suffered more than John and it was just a terrible time; it was the worst thing
ever to watch him suffer.

“Craig
died at home on March 8 with staff from the Hospice around him.

?

Craig,
who was born through IVF treatment, was the youngest grandchild on both sides
of the family.

Tanya
said she and her husband, John, received great support from the local
community.

“We have
a large circle of friends and they were really fantastic,

? she stated.

“St
Joseph’s National School in Bonnybrook were great to us and in particular a
teacher, Ms Dunne, who is retired now. She used to come around to the house
every day to see Craig.

“Crumlin
Hospital, Beaumont Hospital and St Francis Hospice Raheny have all been
fantastic, which is why we want to help them through the fundraising.

Marathon

“About
40 of us did the women’s mini marathon in June in memory of Craig and we raised

?¬5,010 for St John’s Ward in Crumlin Hospital. All the teachers at his school
did it. Crumlin Hospital sent us a letter thanking all the mammies who took
part in the race.

?

Tanya
said Craig was mad about Super Mario, a character in a Nintendo game.

Coffin

“We even
buried him in a Super Mario suit, which he loved,

? she said.

“We got a Super
Mario coffin specially made for him and had a horse drawn carriage for his
funeral; he got a great send off.

?

On
November 14 last, Tanya and John held a big party for Craig at Parnell’s GAA
Club.

“It must
have been the biggest party to ever hit Coolock,

? added Tanya.

“We knew
it would be his last birthday with us so we had to make it really special.

?

On
November 11 at Parnell’s GAA Club, a mini Ferrari car, which belonged to Craig
and is valued at

?¬1,000, will be one of the top prizes on the night.

If
anyone would like more information about the fundraising event or would like to
make a donation, phone Tanya on 087-6646404 or email [email protected]