Kirsty McCloskey (21) is an ex-employee of Loch Leven’s Larder along with her Mum, Gillian. In November 2019 during Kirsty’s final year of a Nursing Degree she became seriously unwell, experiencing excruciating headaches, visual distortion, vomiting, numbness and difficulties balancing. Two months later in February 2020 Kirsty was found to have a satsuma sized tumour on her brain stem, believed to have been present since childhood. Subsequently, Kirsty underwent an emergency 11-hour surgery in order to save her life.
The surgery was successful with 95% of the tumour successfully being removed but it has left Kirsty with movement and coordination difficulties which requires regular intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions in order to help Kirsty walk again, eat by herself and things we all generally take for granted.
In order to help Kirsty get the best possible care necessary a friend of the family, Keith Cuthbert has organised an around the clock relay event, ‘The Loch Leven 24 Hour to support Kirsty McCloskey’. With the McCloskey family all heavily involved in sports clubs around Kinross many have got involved to support the charity fundraiser. They can choose to walk, run or cycle using a stuffed toy cat as the relay baton.
Emma, Director of Loch Leven’s Larder “I have known Kirsty since she was a little girl. I’ve known Kirsty and her wonderful family for many years and it was great having both Kirsty and Gillian as part of our team at the Larder. When we heard the dreadful news we were keen to support Kirsty and highlight the fundraiser. Kirsty through adversity has brought our community together to make a real difference. We are glad to have got involved and urge anyone who is able to get involved or donate to Kirsty’s fundraising page”.
The money raised on Saturday 5th June during the 24 Hour fundraiser will not only enhance Kirsty’s recovery but will also be used to support the Brain Tumour Charity. If you would like to support Kirsty you can do so by donating to their Go Fund Me page
We wish everyone getting involved all the very best, we’;ll be cheering you on from the Larder and look forward to seeing Kirsty and her family very soon.
“We are really looking forward to the challenge of doing laps of the Loch Leven heritage trail for the 24 hours.
It’s absolutely fantastic the response we have had for our fundraising for Kirsty, to support her rehabilitation.
We’re also really pleased we have lots of local clubs involved too so it should be a great event and fingers crossed the weather is good for us.”
Keith Cuthbert, Organiser and Family Friend
