Daryl’s pals raise cash for transplant service

May 28 2009 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

A FOOTBALL tournament to raise money for the Organ Donation Service has been judged a great success.

Youngsters from Whitehill donned their studded boots and paid to play to raise money for the charity that has been backed by Lily Turley, mother of Daryl Turley, the 13-year-old Holy Cross schoolboy who was tragically killed in a road accident in January.

After the road accident on Bothwell Road, Daryl was placed on a life support machine at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.

After it became clear that Daryl was brain dead, the family made the decision to donate his organs to those in need.

Daryl’s liver, heart, both kidneys and small bowel were transplanted into five other people, giving them a chance at a normal life.

Lily was so impressed by the treatment they received from the Organ Donation Team at the hospital, she decided to back their campaign.

Approximately 22 teams took part in the football tournament at PowerLeague, Bothwell Road, Hamilton on Friday, May 22.

The youngsters raised approximately £480 on the day, of which £430 will go towards the running total that will be presented to the Organ Donation Service.

The under 18 winners ‘Bayer Never Losin’ won the overall tournament, and were presented with individual trophies and team cup by George Pate, of Grant Cleaning Services, who sponsored the event and bought the trophies.

The under 18 runners-up team, chosen from the Whitehill Boys Team, named themselves Turley’s Boys.

A giant cheque will be presented to Southern General’s Organ Donation Transplant coordinator Susan Hannah, on Daryl’s 14th Birthday Memorial Night on Saturday, June 20.

Lily has been busy organising further events in Daryl’s memory, the next will be bag packing in Asda, by Holy Cross High School, Beckford Street and St Paul’s Primaries.

A sponsored walk by the children from Whitehill Nursery is also planned.

These events have been arranged to raise money for the service but more importantly to Lily, raising awareness of the importance of carrying organ donation cards, which ensures, that in the event of your death, your organs will be used for transplant.

People can also register online with the Organ Donation Service at: www.infoscotland.com/organdonor/.

Lily added: “Please give your support to this charity, either by donating a gift or some spare cash that will be added to our grand total and handed over to the Organ Donation Service - and please consider the importance of carrying an organ donor card.”

Nadine Bothwell, Lily’s niece, helped to organise the PowerLeague tournament.

She said: “On behalf of Daryl’s family, we would like to thank Grant Cleaning Services for their hard work and donations, as well as everyone in Whitehill who has been of great support to Lily and the rest of the family.

“The whole family are all still grieving the loss of Daryl.”

If you would like to attend Daryl’s Memorial Night, June 20, at Blantyre Miner’s Welfare Social Club, Calder Street, Blantyre, call 01698 823198 for information.