Leo Feels The Love

When I headed down to Charlesland this afternoon, I learnt one important fact…

He’s a cool kid, that Leo Canavan-Carrick.

And his triplet brother and sister, Matthew and Emily, aren’t too far behind, of course. But they are behind. By one minute, apparently.

That must explain why Leo is not only the smartest, wisest, most handsome of this tricky trio, but why this happy little kid also packs a winning smile that could kick just about any dark day over the moon.

Having been diagnosed shortly after his birth with cerebral palsy (or Spastic Diplegia) back in 2009, Leo has been bravely battling this condition with winning results ever since. With a little help from mum Julia and dad Stuart, of course. Oh, and those wallies, Emily and Matthew.

The good people of Greystones and beyond have helped too, of course. Through early fundraising, on March 12th, 2013, Leo underwent life-changing surgery – surgery not available here in Ireland – at the Barbara Russell Children’s Paediatric Nueroscience Unit, at the Frenchay Hospital in Bristol. It was here, since July 2012, that Leo had begun regular sessions with procedure known as SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy), a treatment that he still benefits from today.

Having a special trainer, Daniela Dietl, here in Greystones has been a major plus too, the intense exercise program – concentrating largely on muscle development – helping to build Leo’s core strength.

None of this comes free, of course, and on Sunday, May 29th 2016, there will be a Gala Concert at the Holy Rosary Church in Greystones to help raise funds for Leo.

Luckily for him, mum Julia runs the Pitch Perfect Singing School, which means that this smart lady not only leads – and teaches – some very fine choirs, but she also has friends in very high-octave places.

And so it is that the likes of mezzo-soprano Dara McMahon and soprano Mairead Buicke will be belting out alongside such acclaimed musicans as pianists Conor Linehan and Anthony Byrne, trumpeter Eamonn Nolan, guitarist Darragh O’Neill, oboe overlord David Agnew and the legend that is Rosaleen Linehan. Also performing on the night will be the Pitch Perfect Children’s Choir and the Pitch Perfect Ladies Choir, plus the Beating Time ladies barbershop beauties.

And this will be all introduced by the dulcet tones of RTÉ Lyric FM’s Liz Nolan. Nice.

Happening at the Holy Rosary Church, Greystones on Sunday, May 29th 2016, the fun kicks off at 6pm, and the tickets are €15 for adults and €10 for children.

All proceeds on the night will go to Leo’s Journey, which you can find out about on their website here – where you can also buy tickets. For further information, or to book tickets, email [email protected] or phone 0872109882.