Liam Kelleghan with wife Janet and children Amy and James.

Tractor drive fundraiser aims to help fund Russian treatment for Kinnegad dad

 

Vintage cars and vintage tractors will be assembling at Hill of Down this Sunday as part of the effort to raise the €70,0000 required to cover the cost of treatment in Russia for a young Kinnegad father battling multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Clonard Vintage and Heritage Club “Russian Rescue for Liam” tractor and vintage car run is to start at 1pm from Moran's at Hill of Down, with registration from 11am to 12.30.

A great day for both participants and viewers, this is a child-friendly event, and there will be a raffle and refreshments on the day and a colouring competition for kids too!

Liam Kelleghan – father of Amy and James - is pinning his hopes on treatment at a Russisn specialist clinic, but needs a whopping €70,000 to meet the costs of his travel and treatment.

The 46 year old is due to begin treatment on November 26, and his wife, Janet Banks, says that the famiily is hopiing the medical team will manage to at least halt the progress of Liam's MS, or – even better – to reverse it.

There is a GoFundMe page set up to help raise the funds Liam requires – but along with all that, Janet is organising various events to help get in the money required: she has a table quiz happening at Harry's of Kinnegad in June, and she is looking for volunteers to run on the family's behalf in the Women's Mini-Marathon in June.

The disease is, says Janet, slowly stealing Liam's ability to walk, and to do everyday things people take for granted.

“Liam is on the line between relapsing, remitting and secondary progressive. If he deteriorates much further, his chances of recovery do too,” she says, explaining that the condition is affecting his balance and his ability to walk.

To volunteer to help with fundraising, contact Janet on Facebook via: facebook.com/russianrescueforliam or to donate directly gofundme.com/russianrescueforliam