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by JENNY MONROE
Mags with her daughter Megan.
 A
MOIRA dad is to walk from Belfast to Craigavon to raise money
for a premature baby charity, in memory of his late daughter.
On June 20 at 10am Barry White (38) will
begin the 26 mile walk from the Royal Jubilee Maternity
Hospital, Belfast to Craigavon Area Hospital via Lisburn, Moira
and Lurgan in aid of TinyLife.
Following the death of their baby daughter
Megan, who was born in September last year weighing just lib
2.5oz, the smallest baby in the country at that time, Barry and
his wife Mags (28) decided that they wanted to raise money for
TinyLife -the charity that provided them with much needed
support when their baby was born.
Megan fought bravely for six months and four
days before her lungs failed on March 30. The infant spent her
short life between the Royal and Craigavon hospitals with her
proud parents never able to take her home.
Tiny Life provided emotional and practical
support during this time and Barry and Mags hope to highlight
the plight of premature babies and raise much-needed funds.
Speaking about the walk Barry said: "Megan
was such an inspiration. She was a wee smiler and a wee fighter.
We feel blessed that we got to know her and privileged that she
was part of our lives for six months.
"When Megan was in hospital I used to say
that I might walk home to Moira some day but I never got the
chance. Now I will get to walk and I'll be doing it for my
daughter."
Mags, who gave birth early after being
diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia will be driving the support
vehicle during the walk. She thanked everyone who has shown
their support.
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Mags and Barry holding Megan for the
very first time. |
Little Megan who was born in
September last year) weighing just lib 2.5oz. |
"I work for Lisburn City Council and the
staff there have organised a table quiz to raise money and will
present us with a cheque when we stop off at the Civic centre on
our way through Lisburn during the walk. Dalton's have also been
very generous and are providing sandwich platters for the
walkers and a local businessman Linden Armstrong is going to
provide a hot tub on the Friday night for the walkers to relax
in. I would encourage anyone who is interested in joining us to
come along and show their support for a worthwhile cause," she
said.
� Anyone who would like to volunteer their
time by walking all or part of the route, or collecting at
various locations, can do so by contacting Valerie in TinyLife
on valerie@tinylife.org. Donations can be made by visiting
www.justgiving.com/meganswalk
jenny.monroe@jpress.co.uk
Ulster Star
30/05/2008
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