A COUPLE are raffling Tyrone GAA star Owen Mulligan's football boots to raise funds for a neonatal unit that cared for their newborn son during his short life.
Baby Franky McIvor lived for 20 days before passing away in February last year at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in Belfast.
He was born with mitochondrial disease, a rare condition which affects the body's ability to produce energy.
His parents, Sinead and Cormac McIvor, have launched an online fundraiser in their son's memory.
The money will go towards equipment, staff training and resources at the neonatal unit to help other families with very ill babies.
As part of the fundraiser, those who donate have the chance to win a pair of Owen Mulligan's football boots branded with his 'Mugsy' nickname.
Mrs McIvor, from Cookstown, said they were delighted to receive the former Tyrone GAA footballer's support.
"Owen is a family friend and played on the same team with my brother for a long time," the 34-year-old said.
"We were really pleased. It's great to have that support behind us, and I think it's nice to offer something and not just ask for money from people."
Mrs McIvor said she and her husband Cormac (39), from Ballinderry in Co Derry, were keen to help the neonatal unit after the expert care their son received.
"I think in the first year there's a lot of quiet reflection in your own grief, but we got to the point where we were ready to do something positive. It's really saying thank you for their care," she said.
Mrs McIvor also praised the support staff gave their nine-year-old son Rian when he met his baby brother for the first time.
"I think sometimes the NHS gets a hard time and gets bashed quite a bit in terms of waiting times and quality of care," she added.
"Obviously we were in a very difficult and painful situation, but Franky received the best care possible.
"When you get a diagnosis and you realise your baby is seriously ill, your world just crumbles around you.
"But the staff, they know what you need before you know that you need it.
"It was the most trying experience that a person could consider, but we took great strength from the care that Franky got and the support afforded to us as his parents."
Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sineadcormac-mcivor to donate and enter the raffle for Owen Mulligan's football boots.
