Nenagh Family's hike in memory of Jamie

The family of the late Jamie Boyle is appealing for donations ahead of a hike up Carrantouhill in aid of the irish Wheelchair Association.

The Boyles were a Nenagh family of 10 ranging from Mam and Dad to the youngest, aged 16. However due to the unexpected and sudden passing of our brother and son Jamie (24) three years ago, we have become a family of nine, each feeling the huge loss in all our lives. Jamie was larger than life in so many ways, from his beaming smile and generosity to his ability to not let anything hold him back dispite his own disability - spina bifida- from which he was wheelchair bound.

This only spurred him to do well in life, from his business degree to the many sporting achievements including national records, and bringing home Gold from the World Junior Games on three seperate occasions. He also travelled from Brazil to the USA, Taipei and so many places in Europe with IWA Sport.

Jamie gave us so many reasons to be proud of him, so now we, his family, will take his courage to make him proud of us and use our grief in a positive way to raise much needed funds for his sporting family IWA Sport.

To do this we are going to hike the Carrantuohill in the MacGillycuddy Reeks, Co. Kerry, on Saturday April 9th. This is a 12km hike up the Devil's Ladder route to the highest peak in Ireland. It is a huge challenge for our family as we are not the fittest by any means so we have been inviting fitness into each of our lives by way of walking schedules and weekly hikes as training for the big event. We have become well known by the regular walkers of Keeper Hill and are set to head up the Golden Vale to the Galtys this weekend.

We know there will be tears and tantrums along the way, not to mention sulking, scolding, sore bodies and strong opinions - a typical family adventure really! But with our Jamie giving each of us strength on this emotional journey, we will reach the summit to try to get close to him in Heaven and complete this wonderful challenge.

IWA Sport is the national governing body in Ireland to promote sport and recreation opportunities for people with a physical disability. It offers support to athletes from local level right up to paralympic level.

So please donate what you can to our worthy cause - it will be put to great use for the field athletes of IWA Sport. You can donate through My Charity website www.mycharity.ie/event/hikingtoheaven/ and select the 'Sponsor me now' button, or by contacting any of the Boyle family.