Inspirational Ellie and Sam spark family's 100 mile charity cycle

BALLYMONEY brother and sister Ellie, (3), and Sam Dunlop, (18 months), both suffering from the rare genetic condition Hyperinsulinism (HI), are the inspiration behind a 100 mile charity cycle in aid of The Children's Hyperinsulinism Fund.

The pair's Grandfather, (Clarke Stirling), Great-Uncle (Colin Stirling) and Uncle (Alan Stirling) are set to complete the gruelling one-day challenge around Northern Ireland's North Coast on Saturday 28th August, raising awareness and much needed funds for this specialised charity based at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Father of the special little pair, Trevor Dunlop, explained, "Ellie was born on 2nd July, 2007, and we realised something was wrong a few hours after bringing her home from hospital. She was taken back to Causeway Hospital, Coleraine, before being transferred to Antrim Area hospital and finally to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where she spent 10 weeks before being flown across to Great Ormond Street."

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The 33-year-old continued, "We then had to travel to a hospital in Berlin for a week, where Ellie had a specialist scan which diagnosed the severe form of HI."

Ellie's condition has been far from straight forward, as Trevor further explained:

"She had a 98% keyhole pancreatectomy in November 2007, which improved her condition enough to manage her at home on a strict medical and feeding regime.

"However, much more drama was to follow, as Ellie has subsequently needed emergency surgery twice more in July 2009 and further major surgery in May 2010, all as a result of further complications."

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Upbeat parents Trevor and Dawn said, "Ellie is a very active, happy three-year-old and thankfully leads a full and 'normal' life. She still needs to be fed continuously overnight through her feeding tube and we still have to keep a close eye on her blood sugars, but her HI is stable and manageable."

Their positivity comes even amidst having had the added stress of having a second child, Sam, born on 10th February, 2009, and diagnosed with HI at birth. Sam was flown to Great Ormond Street when he was 9 days old, and had 90% of his pancreas removed in April 2009.

Further complications have arisen with Sam, however, requiring frequent lengthy stays at Great Ormond Street. This included more than three full months in London at the end of 2009, requiring a second pancreatectomy and after an initial recovery, when Sam started to deteriorate rapidly, subsequent emergency surgery in GOSH 9 days later in November 2009.

Trevor said, "During this operation they discovered that his bile duct was partially severed: they drained 500mls of bile (a very toxic irritant) from his abdomen and left a surgical drain in place. Sam remained in Great Ormond Street for another 6 weeks and went on to have further major reconstructive biliary surgery in December 2009. Although not quite at the same stage as his sister, he's making good progress and his condition is manageable."

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With such a dramatically difficult few years for the family, amateur cycle enthusiast Clarke Stirling decided to do something positive to give back something to the team who've helped his grandchildren.

The 52-year-old explained, "Lynda and I have visited the children quite a few times at GOSH and always found it a very humbling experience. The staff are constantly dealing with life and death situations yet they just get on with it. It's nice to be able to do something to help in some small measure."

"I have always cycled since I was a member of the Team Route club back in the 1970s but I don't think I have ever covered 100 miles at one go before. The training has been hard and at times monotonous but I always appreciate that my woes pale into insignificance when compared to what Ellie, Sam and their parents have had to contend with."

The proud grandfather added, "I am really looking forward to Ellie and Sam joining us on their wee bikes for the last few yards of the challenge. Our cycle route will take us from Ballymoney through Coleraine, Portstewart, Portrush, Bushmills, Ballycastle, Cushendall, Waterfoot, Carnlough, Glenarm, Clough and Cloughmills."

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He also managed to persuade his son and brother to put their bottoms to the saddle too.

"I am grateful to my son Alan and brother Colin for joining in with the cycling and the fundraising too. Chris Spratt, a friend of mine from Scotland, who regularly joined me in my training, is also taking part in a 100 mile cycle in the English Lake District. He is fund raising for the HI fund too. I greatly appreciate his efforts and encouragement."

Therefore, on Saturday, 28th August Ellie and Sam's Granda Clarke, Great-Uncle Colin and Uncle Alan Stirling will all cycle and go the extra mile to raise awareness and funds for this exceptional charity which relies fully on voluntary funding.

For more information or to support this worthy cause visit

www.justgiving.com/cycle-hyperinsulism