Stephen’s anniversary marked with lifesaving gift

A NORTHSIDE school received a piece of lifesaving equipment last week to mark the fourth anniversary of one of its most famous pupils.

Stephen Gately, who died in October 2009 while on holiday in Majorca, aged just 33, was a former student at St Laurence O’Toole’s CBS in Sheriff Street.

To commemorate the anniversary (October 10) of the Boyzone singer’s death, Stephen’s mother Margaret and sister Michelle presented the school with a defibrillator, which will be made available for public access 24 hours a day.

The north inner city school, affectionately known as

‘The Larriers’, is just one of the schools and sports clubs that have received the equipment from the Stephen Gately Trust.

Michelle Gately and her family launched the Trust on March 17 (Stephen’s birthday) following the tragic and sudden loss of Stephen from an undiagnosed heart condition.

The aim of the Trust is to raise awareness of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS).

It is currently fundraising to provide more defibrillators (AED) to schools and sports clubs, and full training is also being provided to staff members by Safety Ireland.

The children of St Laurence O’Toole’s CBS, along with two other local schools, performed some songs in Stephen’s memory including the hit

‘No Matter What’ which they learned especially for the occasion.

David Bailey, who has been at the school since the early 1980s and taught Stephen when he was a pupil, was among those in attendance.

Principal of St Laurence O’Toole CBS, Mark Candon, said his school was delighted to have received the defibrillator in Stephen’s memory.

“When the Trust approached us with the offer we were very happy to accept it,

? Mr Candon told Northside People.

“Stephen was a fantastic role model for the pupils here. He was a great personality and the pupils loved him. There was such an outpouring of grief in the community when he died.

?

Mr Candon said that while the North Wall is a very small area, it has produced some incredible people.

“As well as Stephen, Luke Kelly, Jim and Peter Sheridan and the actor Liam Cunningham were all past pupils and we’re very lucky to have these role models,

? he stated.

“There is a definite artistic strength in the area and some phenomenal talent.

?

Mr Candon used the occasion to point out to the children what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.

“What we would say to the kids is: don’t let anyone put you down – work hard and follow your dream,

? he said.

“Stephen was just an ordinary guy, like them, sitting in a classroom. He always wanted to sing and dance but was determined to work hard for his success.

?

Mr Candon also praised the footballers at Sheriff YC who won an amazing five trophies in the 20012/2013 season, which included the FAI Junior Cup and Leinster Junior Cup.

“This was a massive boost for the area,

? he added.

Meanwhile, the Stephen Gately Trust is looking for people to donate or register as fundraisers on www.stephengatelytrust.ie to help provide these lifesaving pieces of equipment to their local schools and sports clubs.