Be Like Liv: Aberdeen Kiltwalk Heroes Raise £15k

Olivia’s mum Ashley is taking on the Aberdeen Kiltwalk this weekend – because it’s nothing compared to the extraordinary lengths the amazing team at the Royal Hospital for Children go to for her wee girl. 

“Olivia’s surgeons have operated on her for up to 11 hours which must require such skill as well as being exhausting and intense. Walking 26.2 miles is nothing compared to what they do."

One of the UK’s biggest fundraising events returns to the Granite City after the pandemic forced the Kiltwalk to go virtual for two years. 

This year Ashley, friends and family members are part of the army of fundraisers, known as Team Liv. They've topped £15,000 in donations in aid of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity to thank the hospital heroes who provide expert care to 11-year-old Olivia following her relocation from Aberdeen during treatment for Cholesteatoma. 

Mum Ashley said: 

“Olivia (or ‘Liv’) was born with a defect at the base of her skull and was diagnosed with Cholesteatoma in Oct 2016 — an aggressive, invasive, and relentless disease for which there is no cure other than surgical intervention.  

“In August 2020, her journey continued in Glasgow under the care of the amazing consultants at Royal Hospital for Children.  

“Liv’s disease progressed, causing major issues in her brain. So far, she has undergone 17 surgical procedures - some in Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and some in Glasgow - at the tender age of only 11 years old.   

“Olivia’s journey continues and there is a bumpy road ahead, but she never fails to inspire me with her strength, courage, zest for life and permanent smile. 

Olivia's mum, Ashley

‘Sometimes superheroes reside in the hearts of small children fighting big battles.’ It’s a true saying because my daughter is my hero.”  

Brave Olivia spent over two months in the Royal Hospital for Children at one stage when the superbug Pseudomonas was found in her brain tissue and between grafts from a previous reconstruction. 

It’s hard to explain that to someone so young. But the team assembled to care for her knew what to do – assisted by the Play Programme which is funded by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. 

“The team went above and beyond for Olivia. She was cared for by Kerrie McAllister (ENT), Roddy O’Kane (Neuro), Connor Doherty (infectious disease) and the staff on ward 3a. 

“Roddy took charge, and he found the words to explain to a ten-year-old what was happening. He told Olivia: ‘Think of this like a game of football, you don’t know what’s ahead of you. You don’t know if you will win or lose.  

“‘But you will face each tackle and overcome them. You have no other option but to win.’

What neurosurgeon roddy o'kane told olivia

“As a team they work incredibly well together and as a family we will be forever grateful for all they have done. 

“The play team were incredible — constantly popping their heads in to check if Olivia needed any activities, whether it was to find some more DVDs to watch or just to chat.” 

And so to the Kiltwalk this weekend – as one of Scotland’s biggest fundraising events returns in all its grandeur this year. 

“Without the care of the team in Glasgow I cannot imagine the outcome we may have faced.  

“We want to raise as much money as possible to enable Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity to continue to do the work they do - helping to support the world-class care, treatment, and excellence taking place at the children’s hospital.”