Strangford Integrated College vice-principal Rory O’Connor is rowing from Carrickfergus to Portpatrick in Scotland
A Belfast dad will be attempting to break a world record by rowing from Northern Ireland to Scotland in support of a neo-natal unit that saved his son’s life.
Rory and Victoria O’Connor’s son Patrick was born four weeks prematurely in June and developed respiratory distress syndrome, requiring a week of specialist care in the Ulster Hospital Neo-Natal Unit. The parents said it was a terrifying time for them but Patrick is now home with his mum, dad and big sister Mollie and thriving thanks to the care he received.
Rory said: “When Patrick was born, he was quite unwell. He was struggling to breathe and spent time in the Neo Natal Unit. The care and compassion he, as well as my wife Victoria, received was unbelievable. It really blew me away. They saved Patrick’s life.”
“I remember coming home and saying to Victoria, ‘We need to give something back’.”
As a way of saying thank you to the neo-natal unit, Rory, who is an international rower and vice-principal of Strangford Integrated College, will be rowing from Carrickfergus to Portpatrick in Scotland. He will be aiming to beat the world record in the 22-mile solo row, which stands at three hours and 35 minutes and was set in 1997 by Belfast man John Murray.
Rory said his passion for rowing provided the perfect opportunity to raise funds and give something back to the team who cared for his son, “Given my background in rowing, I thought it was a perfect vehicle to use to fundraise and ultimately give back to the Neo Natal Unit.
“I am hoping to break the current world record of three hours and 35 minutes. I am now waiting for the right weather window to complete the challenge.”
With Patrick now very much settled at home with mum dad and big sister Mollie, Rory reflected on how emotional it was coming back to the Neo Natal Unit to meet with staff ahead of his rowing challenge.
Rory added, “Coming back and being on the ward, seeing the discharge bell and the staff, it was bringing it all back. We spent ten days here and I know it can be a relatively short period of time, but it felt like a lifetime when we were in here.
“As a family we are just so grateful for all the help that Patrick received. I have set up a Go Fund page and friends, family, members from the rowing club have all got behind me and the family to support me in my training. I am just waiting for the right weather window to complete it.
“All funds raised from the row, minus the boat safety costs, will go directly to the Ulster Hospital Neo Natal Unit. We cannot thank the staff enough.”
Neo Natal Sister Gemma Cummins stated, “It is such a generous donation that Rory is going to provide for us. It means a lot to us and will enable us to enhance our care and experience to families that are already going through their own Neo Natal journey and for the families to come.
“It is really touching, for our staff, to see how Rory and Victoria are still thinking of us. It really is so meaningful for us as a Team and we want to wish Rory the very best as he prepares to undertake his challenge!”
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