Boost for cancer charity through family’s fundraiser

It has been 10 years since Kyle McCracken died of Burkitts Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and the Remember Me Kyle McCracken campaign has raised at least £1200 which is being donated to the CLIC Sargent charity for children with cancer. Pictured are Fiona McCann from CLIC Sargent along with Donna, Cyril and Katie Louise McCracken, Gareth Lyness and Ashley Gregg. INLM1215-467

Kyle McCracken was diagnosed with cancer on Valentine’s Day 2005. He died four weeks later aged 17.

His mum Donna thinks about him every day and his sister Kirsty, who died at the age of seven in 1997 after suffering from Spina Bifida.

She said the loss of two children is something she’ll never get over but that it has made her family stronger.

To raise money for Clic Sargent in Kyle’s memory a five-a-side football competition was organised last month, followed by a night in the Royal British Legion.

The fundraiser enjoyed tremendous support with over £1,200 raised so far.

Donna thanked all those who had donated including Truly Gifted; Winemark, Waringstown; Belfast Giants; Clic Sargent; Golden Harvest; AL Hair Design; Glenavon; Juelles and Silverwood Car Wash.

Talking of losing her son, Donna said: “It feels like yesterday we lost Kyle.

“I would think about him all the time, every day from I wake in the morning until I go to bed at night.

“It’s been particularly hard this year as I’ve lost my mum and dad as well. My dad died on Kyle’s birthday.

“It pushes you one way or the other when you lose a child. It’s brought us closer together but in many cases you hear about parents splitting up. If you’ve got each other you’ll get through it. That’s how I see it.

“We lost Kirsty and we lost Kyle, but we’ve got Katie-Louise and she’s a living reminder of both the children we lost. You couldn’t wish for a better girl.”

Those wishing to make a donation can do so be searching online for ‘Remember Me Kyle McCracken’.

Kyle had been a keen footballer playing for Bluestone BB, Lurgan Town and Glenavon. He was due to begin service in the army before being diagnosed with cancer on Valentine’s Day 2005.