The family of a Doune teenager have raised more than £2000 with their latest fundraiser in his memory.
The Ferrier family hosted a ceilidh in Dunblane earlier this month, one of several they have organised after suddenly losing 16-year-old Callum to cardiomyopathy in 2008.
Callum, described as fit and “sports-mad”, was aged just 16 when dad Gilbert found him dead in bed.
The popular McLaren High School pupil, who enjoyed playing shinty and rugby, was later found to have died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle.
Since then, his family – including his three brothers – have raised over £30,000 for Cardiomyopathy UK through treks, ceilidhs, sky dives, and other events.
Cardiomyopathy is a group of conditions that affect the shape of the heart and can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body. There is currently no cure, although it can be managed through lifestyle. Around one in 250 people in the UK are affected. Symptoms can include chest pains and breathlessness, but for many there are no symptoms at all, and screening is required to identify the condition. Various charities across the UK provide screening for young people, often funded by the efforts of bereft families.
At the last count, an impressive £2,264.61 had been raised for Cardiomyopathy UK by the family thanks to the latest ceilidh alone.
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As well as the regular charity ceilidhs, Callum’s brothers Sean, Darren and Neil have also raised thousands of pounds through events, including 10k runs, half and whole marathons, and even a 64-mile charity trek in the Sahara Desert in 2012, as well as challenges in Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China.
After the latest ceilidh, Callum’s mum Morag passed on her thanks on to those involved.
She said: “Thanks to Evelyn Tweed MSP for her support and speech; Skelpit Lug Ceilidh Band; Craig Johnstone for purchasing the stock for bar and setting up; Susan and Stuart McIntyre for serving in bar with Sean Ferrier; Irene McKinnon who helped Darren Ferrier serve food; Lukasz Nahajowski for beautiful homemade pizzas and Zoe Ferrier who along with pals Chloe and Gracie raised £136 at the event running a tuck shop; Neil Ferrier for organising raffle and collecting prizes. Finally, to everyone who came along and supported us.
“Cardiomyopathy UK is a charity dear to our hearts as a family.
“It keeps our cheery boy’s memory alive.
“If we can help others, it is all worthwhile.”
Charlotte Sills, head of fundraising and marketing for Cardiomyopathy UK, said: “On behalf of all of us here at Cardiomyopathy UK, we’d like to congratulate Morag and Gilbert on another successful event and say a big thank you for their incredible support over the years.
“We are truly grateful that they continue to support Cardiomyopathy UK in Callum’s memory.
“Their dedication to raising funds and awareness enables us to continue providing support to individuals and their families affected by cardiomyopathy.
“Thanks to support from people like Morag and Gilbert, we’re able to continue raising awareness of the symptoms so that more people know the signs and seek help early. It means we can continue campaigning for improvements in treatment, educating healthcare professionals to identify cardiomyopathy and working with researchers to develop new treatments, and one day, a cure.”
At the ceilidh, Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed gave a speech for the 120 attendees of all ages, saying: “It was my pleasure to attend this event and say a few words in honour of the memory of a much-loved son and in aid of an important cause. The Ferriers’ work in raising awareness of cardiomyopathy is so impressive, and this event like so many before was a resounding success. I will continue to do what I can to raise this issue in parliament. I’d like to thank everyone who came along. It was lovely to see everyone have fun for a very worthy cause.”
