A BALLINGRY family are set to take part in a virtual walk to raise money for Great Ormand Street Hospital following years of support and hard work from the staff.

Twelve-year-old Kian Rafferty, along with his family, will be taking part in this year’s virtual Royal Bank of Canada Race for the Kids event, which takes place over a weekend of celebration on October 16-17.

The virtual event will see people of all ages and abilities take to their local park or pavement by foot, wheelchair or scooter to complete their own ‘race’.

Kian was born with bladder exstrophy, which meant his bladder was malformed on the outside of his abdomen.

When he was less than a day old, he was quickly transferred to GOSH for emergency surgery.

Kian’s mum, Elaine, said: “It was such a shock. I had just given birth and didn’t expect anything like this to happen. Before I knew it, we were on a plane to London, but we just had to get on with it – there was nothing else we could do.”

At just three days old, Kian had his first operation to put his bladder back inside his body.

Over the next few years, Kian was in and out of GOSH having more surgery, including a reconstruction of the bladder, having a belly button made when he was nearly two years old, a bladder sling operation and bladder augmentation in 2018.

Thankfully, the young Fifer is now doing really well and is a happy, healthy 12-year-old.

Elaine said: “All being well, Kian won’t need any further surgery on his bladder for the rest of his life, which is just amazing. GOSH feels like a second home to us as everyone is so kind.”

This year will be the fourth time that Kian and his family have taken part in the event, including taking part in the first ever virtual event last year.

Elaine said: “It’s been amazing to take part – everyone is doing it for the same reason. Taking part in the virtual event last year was definitely different, but we did it as a family in Lochore Meadows which was still really fun.

“We’re looking forward to doing it again this year – we want to give back to GOSH after everything they’ve done for us, as a family and for Kian.”

Kian said: “I’ve really enjoying doing RBC Race for the Kids and am excited about doing it again this year with all my family – I will be trying to run the whole way.

“I hope lots of people decide to take part and we can raise lots of money for the hospital.”

Participants can sign up for free at rbcraceforthekids.com/event/gosh and choose their preferred race distance to complete during the weekend.