Ballantrae dad cycles to raise cash for liver centre

Mar 27 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

HIS son’s life was saved by a liver transplant.

So it’s no wonder a dad is on a mission to raise awareness about organ donation.

Bobby Stevenson, 43, has vowed to cycle from John O’ Groats to Land’s End.

And the Ballantrae farmer hopes to raise loads of cash, as well as awareness.

Son Craig, 13, is alive and well today thanks to a donated liver.

Craig was a normal lively 12-year-old when he took ill.

“It was mind-boggling how quickly Craig’s condition deteriorated,” said Bobby.

“A mystery virus made him dangerously ill, and he would have died without a transplant.”

Because of Craig’s age, he went to the top of the list for liver transplants.

And an emergency operation at King’s College Hospital in London saved his life.

Craig is now in good health and getting on with his life, although he will always have to take special medication.

Now grateful dad Bobby is organising raising cash for the Starfish Appeal (paediatric liver centre in King’s College Hospital).

And he’s planning his cycle marathon for early July.

But first, family friend and former Ayrshire lady Sheila Wright will run the London Marathon on April 26.

And Craig’s mum Val, aunt Amelia and gran Rosemary are having a coffee morning in Ballantrae Community Centre on May 2.

Other fundraisers in the pipeline include a craft fair and a clay pigeon shoot.

And Carrick district Young Farmers’ Club have already made a £350 donation.

Craig is in his second year at Girvan Academy and enjoys football and rugby.

He will also be going on a ski-ing trip soon, and although his mum worries, she wouldn’t dream of stopping him.

Craig is the younger brother of Adam, 15, an S4 pupil at Girvan Academy.