A car boot sale in memory of Cecil Drury

A car boot sale will be held next Saturday in memory of baby Cecil Drury who passed away in 1987, just two weeks shy of his first birthday.

The Drury family, who run Cootehill Livestock Mart, want to raise funds for the Children’s Health Foundation, particularly the Endocrine Unit in Crumlin as they know, firsthand, the care and support staff there provide to children and their families.

Baby Cecil Drury passed away in Crumlin in 1987 after battling with a rare genetic condition.

“He never came home for that whole year, he passed away in Crumlin,” said Natasha Drury, who unfortunately never got the opportunity to meet her brother, however he inspired her to pursue a career in the medical sector.

Her mother and father, Helen and Geoffrey Drury, have “always wanted” to raise money for Crumlin “to give something back”.

With ample space around the mart, they decided to hold a car boot sale, with an online fundraiser also set up, which has raised €200 to date.

With then three-year-old Steven at home and a sick child in Crumlin, Natasha described a “very difficult” time for the family, when the “amazing” nurses did their best for Cecil.

“They did their best with what they had. There were wonderful nurses there at the time who are all since retired, I’m sure.

“They basically looked after him because my mother couldn’t be there all the time.

“It had a major impact on the family, even though I never met him, he’s my bother because he was always remembered and thought of.” Next year, Cecil would have celebrated his 40th birthday. Having worked in Crumlin hospital herself, despite being “very sad” sometimes, Natasha said it is a “lovely environment to work in”.

“People obviously really care about the little kids.”

The funds, she hopes, can be used to purchase “a new piece of equipment” or fund “a new test”.

“That’ll improve the patient’s experience and their prognosis.

“The foundation actually provides money for those kinds of things.”

Encouraging people to get involved in the fundraiser, Natasha said: “Every family has been touched one time or another having a sick child in the family or they know somebody with a sick child. It’s just to raise funds and give a little back.” The car boot sale will take place at Cootehill Livestock Mart on Saturday June 21 from 9am to 5pm.