Gina's Dream for a new children's charity comes alive

Lily Dane • Published 10 Nov 2011 15:00 3 Comments

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Eugene McCusker, launching the charity "Gina's Dream".<

A devoted Irvinestown father hopes to fulfil the dreams of his late daughter through a new charity 'helping kids with cancer.'

Twelve-year-old Eugenia McCusker, affectionately known as Gina, tragically passed away following an 18 months' cancer illness in September 2009 and now her father, Eugene is in the process of establishing Gina's Dream, which he feels will keep her memory alive.

The committee of eight members has already been established; Eugene is the chairman and his wife Orla is vice-chairman, while his sister Antoinette Simmons is the secretary and Helen Keane, a neighbour, is the treasurer. The other four members are Stefan McCusker, Stacey Large, Zoe and Conor McDermott.

Explaining the background to the initiative, he explained there is currently a charity in Northern Ireland called Shine a Light run on a voluntary capacity for many years by Billy McCrory. "Due to ill health he is taking things easier," said Billy.

Once Gina's Dream is established and officially launched at a gala ball in the La Mon Hotel, Belfast next February, he discloses that Billy will close Shine a Light and Eugene's new Northern Ireland charity (based in Fermanagh and Tyrone) will maintain its work.

Their first trip will be to Lapland on December 3, 2011, said Eugene, who points out that seven families will be making the special journey. "We are working through the Macmillan Nurses," noted Eugene, who is becoming involved in arrangements for the trip for the first time this year.

The Lapland experience is just one of a number of activities organised by Shine a Light - a charity which Eugene notes has been in existence for 17 years and is very well thought of. He experienced the valuable role it plays through a memorable family visit to London to see Oliver, when Gina met the actor Rowan Atkinson and the family sat in the Royal box.

An important aspect for him is that Shine a Light maintains its contact with the family after a child's death; over the last two years since Gina's passing, they have met with other bereaved parents.

The second youngest member of the McCusker household, Gina's death "does not get any easier for the family," according to Eugene.

He recalls that he experienced a particularly "low period last year" and the simple phone calls "at least three times a week" from Billy helped to lift his spirits. He is also very appreciative of his Parish Priest Fr. McGourty for helping him through the dark time.

He and Orla have also spent weekends at the La Mon Hotel (including when Gina was unwell), organised by Billy, and they have built up a great rapport with him.

He revealed that he and Orla talked about him "taking the charity over" and believes "there is a reason for everything." He felt that he wanted to keep the charity going, focusing on Gina's memory in a positive way.

"This is what is keeping me going at the minute," feels Eugene, who revealed that "Billy chose the name Gina's Dream for the new charity." Setting out to fulfil dreams in her memory, he recalls that when Gina was on the London trip she mentioned that when she was old enough she wanted to do what Billy was doing. Apparently she said to him: "I want to look after kids the way you are looking after us." That would have been her dream, believes Eugene, who feels he is "taking up what she would have wanted."

Directing his energy into the project, he acknowledges what Billy has done for them. "I want to do the same for other families,"

stresses Eugene, who adds that simple things such as the weekends away at the La Mon Hotel give families a break. "The staff are fantastic, you would have to see it to believe it," continues Eugene, who also plans to bring trips to Fermanagh hotels in order to facilitate people to have breaks away from their own areas.

In reference to family breaks in Spain, Eugene explains that Billy uses a hotel in Mallorca, where he sends bereaved parents for a few days, while next month's Lapland experience - will be a three-day trip.

"Billy has been doing this trip for about 10 years and the idea is to keep that going every year," said Eugene, who points out that everything is in place in Lapland.

Getting this new charity off the ground has given him an "unbelievable" boost, says Eugene, who is looking forward to continuing the good work of Shine a Light. Billy will be behind us, adds Eugene, who has a very positive outlook about the new venture.

He regards Billy as a hard act to follow and feels that if he can do the job "half as well" as him he will be very happy.

Anyone interested in hearing more about Gina's Dream (which will be run on a totally voluntary capacity) can contact Eugene on 07984716358.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 10 Nov 11

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sammybear2005
1 post
Jan 14, 22:37
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Fantastic Eugene Let us know if we can do any thing to help xx do you need raffle prizes for the ball ?? Let me know :)

Good luck xxx

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6and7lhr
1 post
Feb 16, 11:39
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Hi Eugine and Orla

Just been searching and found this article about the launch of "Gina's Dream" FANTASTIC

As you know my company has been supporting Billy McCrory and Shine a Light for a number of year's a and like your family we are truly members of the McCrory family!!!

Its great to know that although Billy is taking a much needed rest someone like you and Orla and your family and friends are stepping in to support the Children and Family's and will continue the great work that Billy has done in Northern Ireland.

When Jan my wife and myself first visited Belfast we spent a weekend with your family at The La Mon and although Gina was not very well we felt honoured to have met her that weekend with her family and this opened our eyes in the work being done for the children and family's by Billy and Shine a Light. It certainly made us both re-look at the way people should come together and that weekend will be etched in our memories for the rest of our lives. We both fell in love with the people of Northern Ireland and the great team at The La Mon and we always look forward to re-visiting when ever we can. Both of us with our team in London wish you all the very best and knowing you like we do know that you will be a great success in supporting the Children and Family's just like Billy has. See you all on 17th

Best Regards LOL

Vic and Jan Kirkby

The 6 and 7 Travel Company Heathrow

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Cassiexx
1 post
Feb 25, 23:22
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Hi Eugene and Orla, Gina's Dream

Thankyou so much for making 3 beautiful girls very happy. Firstly for those that may read this our daughter Cassie has been receiving very intense chemo this past 18mths for a rare brain tumour. Our house went into lockdown when she started her treatment. I would even had preferred the girls to stay home from school to prevent risk of infection. When they were sick they were sent on sleepovers or would be kept in a separate room. Family time was very rare as we were constantly separated with hospital stays, sickness and trying to limit the risk of infection.

When I got the call telling us of the prospect of a family trip I was very excited but soon realised it wouldn't happen as Cassie would be receiving her radiotherapy at this time. But as the name "Gina's Dream" suggests, it would not end there. Within minutes they had arranged a two night stay for Cassie and our family to stay at the La Mon Hotel for her 3rd birthday. They had arranged a host of treats for us which we all truely enjoyed.

Eugene and Orla, having spent a lovely evening with you and the fact our girls took to you like ducks to water we both agree that there's no-one else more fitting to head such a wonderful charity for children with cancer. Not only can you speak with such experience of living with a child with cancer but you also listen with great care and great understanding as well. This is why we feel you can and will help so many people in the future.

Thank you again and all the very best with your beautiful Gina's Dream.

from Tracey, Kevin, Caoimhe, Cara, and Cassie xx

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