Navan Swim Derby to remember to Aaron

A Meath mother is celebrating the life of her son, who passed away just over a year ago, with a unique organ donor awareness event

Aaron Cantwell, who was a lifeguard and swim coach at Aura in Navan, had indicated to his family that he wanted to be an organ donor, and when he died following an accident on the Trim Road last year, four of organs were donated.

His mother, Naomi Dunleavy, wanted to celebrate the 20 years they had with Aaron by remembering his kindness- and has created created Ducky Deeds, his alter ego who encourages people to be kind to one another.

"Ducky is a character I created to honour Aaron's memory. He was an organ donor, an empath, with a big heart," she says.

Aaron's last good deed was for his organs to be donated after a road traffic accident, and therefore his alter ego's first good deed is a Ducky Derby swim event bringing together donor families and transplant recipients together at the beginning of Organ Donor Awareness Week on Sunday 21st of May for a Swim Relay.

Those who wish to take part can participate in time trials over four lengths (100m) before Tuesday and the fastest 30 will qualify for the relays on the day of the Ducky Derby in Aura Leisure Link in Navan on 21st May.

"We have invited organ donor families, living donors and recipients to attend the event. The families of donors will get the chance to talk to donor and vice versa, there will be a cup of tea after the derby where people can meet and chat," she says.

Those who wish to participate can apply to take part in the trials up until next Tuesday 16th May, The application form is available at https://form.jotform.com/231077276452356

Families of donors and recipients can contact Naomi to come watch the Derby @duckydeed or duckydeed@gmail.com