Alex scales new heights
By Gemma Good
A young Cavan girl has scaled new heights after raising almost €5,000 for sick children championed by An Garda Siochana’s Little Blue Heroes appeal.
What’s even more remarkable about the feat accomplished by Alex Brady (6) is that she hiked Errigal, Donegal’s highest peak, less than a year after being diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Alex, who will enter first class at St Patrick’s National School in Castletara come next September, completed the climb alongside mum and member of An Garda Siochana, Annmarie, and dad Aiden.
Alex hiked Donegal’s highest mountain in aid of Little Blue Heroes, as part of the Bling Hunters’ Little Blue Heroes challenge.
The local family had plenty of support, both on the way up, and after, where they were greeted with a surprise reception at Errigal car park.
Little Blue Heroes provides practical and financial support to families of children who have serious illnesses while granting the wish of the children it supports to become Honorary Gardaí.
In many ways little Alex is following in mum Annmarie’s footsteps, a founding member of the International Police Association Hiking Club, that consists of 220 members countrywide.
Joining Alex and her parents on the hike were Danny Devlin, chair of the IPA Hiking Club; ex-garda Kevin Dockery from the Cavan Walkers; John Cahalin; Christine Gallagher from Cavan’s Community Engagement Unit, herself a native of Donegal; Garda Barbara Doherty, Grainne McLoone and Garda Gerry McCauley, who is a member of Donegal Mountain Rescue and hiked to the top with his three young daughters- Katelyn, Maria and Sophie; and Hugh Gallagher with his sister Ann and her husband Frank.
It took the group of climbers nearly three and a half hours to get to the summit and back down.
“We were totally blown away by the reception,” says Annemarie of the fanfare after, which began with a phonecall from local Supt David Kelly in Milford to wish Alex all the best.
The family also met with three of Donegal’s own Little Blue Heroes, H/Sgt Jack and H/Gardai Rory and Ray, as well as Garda Tina Rowley, Donegal’s Little Blue Heroes representative who helped organised it all.
“We are so humbled and grateful for all the help and support and donations. Thank you to everyone who has donated,” added Annmarie, who explained that her daughter was inspired to raise the money after meeting two of Cavan/Monaghan’s Little Blue Heroes and “wanted to help” in some way.
“Alex was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis last September after not being able to walk for days. She is under the care of rheumatology in Crumlin Hospital and just recently stabilised on arthritis drugs which consists of a weekly and fortnightly injection, anti nausea meds and daily anti-inflammatory with monthly bloods to monitor her. This has not deterred Alex from her challenge who has shown great spirit, resilience and courage in facing her own journey just like all our Little Blue Heroes,” says Annmarie.