By Julie Waters
INSPIRATIONAL Alex Chambers has raised £22,832 thanks to her charity golf challenge and won the praise of five time major champion Rory McIlroy.
Just two hours before the Holywood golfer teed off for his dramatic Irish Open victory at the K Club in Kildare, he took time to chat with the Newtownards youngster and her family.
It was a fabulous finale to a busy summer for Alex who completed the tough challenge of walking the distance of Scrabo Golf Club’s first nine holes over a three month period.
What made Alex’s latest fundraising feat so remarkable is the youngster was given just 45 minutes to live when she suffered a brain haemorrhage when she was just 18 months old, and she has overcome a number of health issues. Following her remarkable recovery, Alex and her family have raised thousands of pounds for the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children’s charity Little Heroes, that threw them a lifeline of support during the most difficult of times.
Her dedicated mum Nadine thanked everyone for their support in helping to reach this fundraising total saying: “We are over the moon to have raised so much for such a worthy cause.
“Little Heroes have launched a new campaign called The Super Little Heroes and their aim is to raise £300,000 towards lifesaving and life changing equipment in the hospital. We hope this can help towards this.”
Said Nadine: “Throughout this challenge Alex has been supported so incredibly by everyone. We just want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for every donation, every kind word, every cheer and every moment anyone stopped and gave their time to encourage Alex, you’ve helped make this fundraiser truly unforgettable.
Alex’s challenge was completed with a trip to the Irish Open, and a chance meeting with the Holywood golf sensation Rory McIlroy.
“A friend had so kindly given us a St Bernard Driver Head that Rory himself had gifted her many years ago.
“She wanted Alex to have it in the very slim chance we’d get to meet him and get it signed. So now Alex has something unbelievably special to treasure forever.”
Said Nadine: “Rory was kind enough to chat with Alex two hours before his tee off. We can’t thank Rory enough for his time, because without realising it, that moment he gave us helps show a little girl that no dream is too big, no challenge too tough, whatever she puts her mind to, she can do.”
