Charity cycle in aid of twin brother

An 11 year-old Dunshaughlin boy is preparing to cycle 67km next month in memory of his twin brother who died shortly before his third birthday Liam Hanley has never forgotten his twin sibling, Rory, who was a regular patient at Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin, and he is participating in the Cycle4Life in aid of the hospital's ICU on 19th May in his memory. "Rory is my twin brother. Rory was beautiful, full of fun, always smiling and I love and miss him very much," he said. "I love to cycle and when I heard about the Cycle4Life, in aid of Temple Street ICU, I decided to cycle the 67k in memory of Rory and in support of the hospital. I am very grateful for the commitment and dedication of everyone in Temple Street. Because of this, I was given two extra memorable and wonderful years with Rory," he added. Liam, who lives with his parents in Supple Park, is a son of Catherine and William Hanley and is a pupil of St Seachnaill's NS. He loves cycling, is a member of Navan Road Club, has competed in many competitions and would love to be a professional rider when he grows up. Liam and Rory were born seven weeks prematurely and Rory had encephalitis at 10 months. Their mother Catherine says he was very lucky to survive at that time. "As a result of the encephalitis, Rory suffered from prolonged febrile convulsions and epilepsy. He died suddenly but peacefully in his sleep from pneumonia, eight weeks before their third birthday," she said. Liam points out that his twin always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. Catherine said that Liam still misses his twin, as does the entire family, which also includes the boy's older sister, 14 year-old Grainne. Anyone wishing to sponsor Liam can visit his personal fundraising page, www.mycharity.ie/event/liam_hanley_cycle4life. The event will raise funds to purchase vital equipment that will support the ICU department in Temple Street Children's University Hospital. Temple Street is the first port of call for tens of thousands of children every year suffering from every kind of illness and injury imaginable. The aim is to help sick children by making their stay in hospital less distressing for them and their families by funding the purchase of medical equipment, developing new services, funding research and developing new treatment facilities.