Teenager who received recent lung transplant set to run for charity

A teenage girl who underwent a lifesaving lung transplant less than a year ago is getting set to take part in the Great North 5km this September.
Siobhan Murray, 16 from Dublin, was born with cystic fibrosis and after years of treatment was flown over to Newcastle upon Tyne for an urgent lung transplant. The teen’s parents, Joe and Sue Murray, accompanied their daughter across the sea and were relieved to be offered free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation run by The Sick Children’s Trust, located at the city’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. While Siobhan underwent treatment ahead of her transplant, the couple stayed at the charity’s Crawford House for six weeks, just minutes from their daughter’s side. When an organ became available, Siobhan was transferred to Freeman Hospital, also in Newcastle upon Tyne, where again her family were supported with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation run by the charity at its Scott House.
Following her transplant, Siobhan and her family set a goal that they would take part in the Great North Run weekender in September 2018. 11 family members will be taking part, with Siobhan her mum, cousins, aunt, uncle, nana and sisters racing in the family fun run and her dad Joe taking on the half marathon. He says:
“Siobhan had just had her transplant and was doing well thankfully. The Great North Run was on at the time and we made a decision that we would do it the following year. Our thinking behind doing the Great North Run was to set a goal for Siobhan to get training to speed up her recovery, but more importantly for us it was also a commitment from our family to do it in memory of her donor. We think about the donor every day. As we are taking on this challenge, we wanted to do it for a charity that really helped us stay together during this time which was The Sick Children’s Trust.
“Sue and I were incredibly worried what with being so far away from home and having no idea how long we’d be waiting for our daughter’s lifesaving donor lung. But The Sick Children’s Trust meant there was no longer any need to be anxious. Without the amazing staff at Crawford and Scott Houses and The Sick Children’s Trust I don’t know how we would have coped, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
“We did a big fundraiser in March which was focused on giving back to the charities and we are continuing to do this by taking part in the Great North Run. Siobhan is now doing really well and all the things she loves, which is lovely to see!”
The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten free ‘Homes from Home’ across the UK supporting families with seriously ill children who require specialist treatment at the country’s leading paediatric hospitals. The charity supports around 4,000 families every year and it costs The Sick Children’s Trust £30 to support a family for just one night. Regional Fundraiser, Emily Corney, says:
“Siobhan’s family’s support has meant so much to us since going back home and it’s incredible to see how much they’ve achieved in less than a year. We are so proud of Siobhan and how well she has recovered and can’t wait to see her at Crawford House before the race. We wish her and her family the very best of luck!”
To support Siobhan’s family’s fundraising mission, please visit: xxx. For further information about The Sick Children’s Trust, please visit http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/
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