This is Olivia’s legacy – we do it for her, to keep her wee memory alive

This is Olivia’s legacy – we do it for her, to keep her wee memory alive

30 November 2016

A DOWNPATRICK couple have raised £7,600 through an annual golf tournament in memory of their little girl.

Emma and Philip Cullen, friends and family, last week presented a cheque to the Maynard Sinclair Ward of the Ulster Hospital following the Olivia Cullen Memorial Golf Tournament. 

Little Olivia died in May 2012 when she was just 18 months, after being diagnosed with a chromosomal disorder so rare it affects only 100 children worldwide.

Described by her mum Emma as a “frequent flyer’ to the Maynard Sinclair ward during her short life, Emma said it was one of several units where Olivia was very well cared for.

She said they hoped to “give something back” to those who had helped Olivia, who spent the last months of her life in hospital after an emergency admission on Christmas day 2011.

Despite their pain, the Cullens are determined that Olivia should not die in vain and have, over the past four years, raised over £40,000 for a range of charities including £20,000 for the Children’s MRI Scanner Appeal.

This was the focus of their first fundraising campaign because of traumatic waits often faced by parents like them who waited to use the adult scanner at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, which was the only hospital of its kind in the UK or Ireland without its own scanner. 

Invited to attend the official opening of the new children’s MRI scanner next week, and having also contributed to the Royal Victoria Hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit, neurology and rehabilitation, the Cullens this year turned their attention to the Maynard Sinclair Ward.

Speaking as they handed over their cheque to nursing staff last week, the Downpatrick family thanked everyone who had attended their summer tournament.

Philip said they looked forward to the tournament every year and said he had recently taken up the sport so he could better enjoy the day.

“This is something for us to look forward to and to raise awareness out their for other families with sick children,” he said.

“That is why we continue to do this every year. We still want to help those who helped us throughout Olivia’s life and hope they benefit from our fundraisers.”

Emma, meanwhile, said they were still driven to give something back to those who helped Olivia.

“It is our way of thanking those who looked after us,” she said.

“This is Olivia’s legacy. We do it for her, to keep her wee memory alive.”