‘King Bee’ Keith gets a surprise visit from Andy

SURPRISE VISIT Andy Moran dropped off a signed Mayo jersey to Keith Gallagher, who is also pictured with his sister Chloe. Pic: K Brennan

Cory Kilbane

Young Keith Gallagher has endured a very difficult three months since being diagnosed with acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, but last week brought a welcome bit of joy. The young hurler from Kilmovee, a Mayo GAA fanatic, was visited by GAA star Andy Moran.
During the visit, organised through the Dublin-based Saoirse Foundation, Andy presented Keith with a signed Mayo jersey. Keith, who knew nothing about the visit beforehand, was very excited about the whole occasion.
Tragically, Keith lost his mother, Jacinta Gallagher (44), six years ago, when she lost her battle with leukemia. Keith and his older sister Chloe were six and seven years old respectively at the time. The family have struggled to cope with the loss, but they have received some great support from their relatives and home community alike in Kilmovee.
Various fundraisers have taken place to support Keith’s cause, most notably ‘Spin for Keith’, which saw Irish Para-cyclist Jerry Towey cycle 176km on-the-spot in under 5 hours on June 30 at Towey’s Spar, Ballaghadreen. Almost €14,000 has been raised since the fundraiser was announced, and donations can still be made until the end of July.
Earlier in the month, Keith became the first patient to take the inaugural flight of the BUMBLEair helicopter, which flew from Ireland West Airport Knock to Weston Aerdrome in Dublin. He was accompanied by his dad, David Gallagher, and they were picked up by a BUMBLEance Children’s Ambulance, which took them to Crumlin’s Children Hospital where Keith received treatment for a few days. David Gallagher said the experience gave young Keith ‘a new lease of life’.
The Saoirse Foundation, which runs the BUMBLEance Children’s Ambulance, was founded by Tony and Mary Heffernan in memory of their daughter, Saoirse, following her death from Batten Disease at the age of five. The couple also lost their son, Liam, to the disease.