An incredible sum raised in memory of Myles
€156,000 raised in memory of 4-year-old Myles Higginbotham
On 14 October 2022 Brian Higginbotham raised over €156,000 in memory of his son Myles, who passed away from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on 2 December 2019 when he was just 4 years old.
Brian organised this year’s Trends Golf Society’s fundraiser at Galway Golf Club. Funds from this event will go towards building a new therapeutic short break centre for children impacted by cancer on the shores of Lough Corrib in Cong, Co. Mayo.
Myles was diagnosed with this rare blood cancer in March 2018 and went through 18 months of treatment at Crumlin Hospital in Dublin, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Myles and his family were due to enjoy a short break at our existing short break centre, Daisy Lodge, in Newcastle Co. Down, but tragically, he passed away before the family could make the trip. Brian is supporting the building of a second centre for other families going through similar experiences.
“Myles loved golf. Galway Golf Club was the first place he would look to go when we were lucky enough to get home from Crumlin Hospital, so I’m delighted that the first event in his memory took place at my home club. The reason I organised this event is because we never got to go to Daisy Lodge and maybe if the centre in Cong had been built it would have been easier for us to go.
I know the pain and suffering other families are going through and I would love for these families to get the break that we didn’t get the chance to enjoy together. I never expected to raise this amount of money. It shows how kind and generous people are. This event was created in recognition of my little boy that I lost; the money raised is thanks to Myles. The success of this event would not have been possible without the help and support from many people, especially Stevie Cullinane, proprietor of Cullinane’s Inn (Trends) and Colm O’Donnellan, O’Donnellan & Joyce Auctioneers.”
Brian Higginbotham
“We are completely blown away by the mammoth effort of Brian, his wife Lisa and everyone at Trends Golf Society for bringing this amazing event to life and raising so much money to help us empower, connect and strengthen children and young people impacted by cancer.
Brian and Lisa went through the most tragic experience anyone can imagine when they lost their little boy and the fact that they have gone on to raise vital funds to support other families is truly humbling.”
Phil Alexander CEO, Cancer Fund for Children
Cancer Fund for Children’s new therapeutic centre will be a safe, supportive space where families navigating childhood cancer can focus on spending time together. It is inspired by our existing Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, County Down which supports approximately 1,800 children and parents from across the island of Ireland each year. Having a second therapeutic centre will allow the charity to increase this number to 4,000 a year.
If you have been inspired by Brian and would like to help us ensure children across Ireland don’t have to face cancer alone please contact Cancer Fund for Children’s Connacht Regional Fundraiser Mary McHugh Murphey e: mary@cancerfundforchildren.ie.
