Cork dad calls on people to celebrate his daughter's life at special fundraising day

EVERYONE should have their day in the sun, and Heidi’s Day is all about having hope and sparking joy, which is exactly what Heidi Smyth did, despite facing many medical challenges during her young life.

On Easter Monday, April 1, people are invited to gather at Ballyshane, Cloyne, to visit daffodils in bloom, pick a bunch of the flowers to honour Heidi’s memory, and donate to two worthy charities - Anam Cara Supporting Parents after Bereavement, and the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

Heidi Smyth, who had cerebral palsy, passed away on September 28, 2018.

Anyone who knew her will always remember her.

“Heidi was a character,” says her dad, Andrew.

“She could communicate using her expressions and she connected immediately with people.”

Heidi had beautiful eyes.

She had a twinkle in her eye, and she always saw the good in life. She saw the good in everything.

Her magnificent eyes lit up her pretty face.

“She could bond with you with her eyes,” says Andrew.

“Heidi had the most magnificent eyelashes. They were amazing. No words can describe how beautiful they were.”

Others were envious of those eyelashes.

“She was the envy of every nurse!” says Andrew.

The child’s eyelashes were something you couldn’t just buy.”

Heidi, in love with life, saw the good in life.

“She saw the good in everything,” says Andrew.

“Even though her life was short she made the most of it, despite medical challenges going through daily life. She was often unwell for long periods. But she had fierce determination and strength.

Heidi had great fight in her. She was often referred to as Lazarus because she would always bounce back after a health set-back.

Heidi was a nature lover too.

“She loved the outdoors, going for walks, going to the beach, going to school,” says Andrew.

“She was very social, and music was a big thing for her. Heidi was a life-long fan of Barney. Out in the fields, having a tactile nature, she liked to put her hand out and touch the grass.”

But the girl was no push-over.

“She had everyone well sized up!” says Andrew, smiling.

“Heidi was a very intuitive person. Nothing went by her. She didn’t miss a trick!”

Did big brother Frank look out for her?

“It was more like she looked out for him!” says Andrew.

Heidi was your typical teenager.

“She loved being out and about in the car, seeing new places and discovering new things,” says Andrew.

She loved being outside in the great outdoors, playing with her dog Klarly.

Like a single daffodil can brighten up an entire room, Heidi had the same gift.

“She was full of love and affection, says Andrew.

Her life was a precious 15 years.

“Reminders of her bring it home to you,” says Andrew.

“Heidi’s Day is about remembering her and celebrating her life. Supporting very important charities that often go under the radar is a key factor. Anam Cara and the Jack and Jill Foundation mean a lot to people who need their vital services.

“Heidi availed of the Jack and Jill Foundation services in her earlier years, up to the age of seven. The Foundation hired nurses who offered care for Heidi. She loved the nurses,” says Andrew.

The Jack and Jill Foundation, a respite charity, was founded by Jonathan Irwin, who died aged 82, and who lost three sons by two wives tragically during a four-year period.

Andrew found comfort from Anam Cara after the loss of Heidi, his precious daughter.

“Anam Cara understand where you are,” he says.

“They understand the different mentality that bereavement brings to people.”

Heidi, like the golden daffodils brightening up barren landscapes with their colourful yellow, orange and white flowers, was gentle yet strong.

“What you saw was this seemingly fragile lady,” says Andrew. “But she wasn’t fragile.”

Heidi was a feisty lady with fizz and a zest for life.

“She had a zest for life that no one could quantify,” says Andrew.

Her family will always celebrate her life.

“We dipped our toe in last year, hosting Heidi’s Day,” says Andrew. “It was a blank page.”

It was a huge success.

“We raised €4,000 last year for two worthy charities,” says Andrew.

Ballyshane is a happy place.

“We had a coffee van in the daffodil field last year. And plenty of smiles,” adds Andrew.

“The coffee van will be in the daffodil field again this year.

People picked hundreds of daffodils or just a few. It didn’t matter. We were honouring Heidi’s memory in happy way.

Heidi’s Day radiates happiness.

“Cope Foundation, who supported Heidi, benefited from the proceeds, and the Music Therapy Department in Crumlin Children’s Hospital also benefitted, buying new instruments for their members,” says Andrew.

Heidi was uplifted by her love of music.

“Members of the Music Therapy Department at Crumlin Hospital visited the wards, playing music,” says Andrew.

“The music gave people in the deepest moods in the heavy atmosphere of intensive care, relief, and lifted their spirits. Intensive care is fantastic in the short term, but it can be a brutal environment for a long time.”

Heidi’s wheelchair - called her Moo-Beel - was donated to the children, and staff of Le Chéile, the children’s respite centre at the Cope Foundation, Montenotte, who will remember Heidi for a long time.

“I donated the van to the Cope Foundation,” says Andrew. “It is a fully wheelchair adapted vehicle.”

Heidi, supported by the Cope Foundation over the years, brought many smiles and laughs to the staff and her friends there. Her love of the beach, music and her cheerful personality is represented by the Heidi Moo-Beel. It is used by the children supported by Cope for days out, short breaks, and lots more.

Heidi’s legacy of love, the enjoyment and the memories, live on.

“She was a such smiley little girl,” says Andrew. “Heidi’s Day is about embracing Heidi and who she was. The donations to the Jack and Jill Foundation and to Anam Cara help make a difference to people’s lives.”

Heidi, bringing sunshine on the cloudiest of days, symbolises the essence of the daffodil, bringing hope and joy.

“She will always be remembered,” says her proud dad.

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER

Heidi’s Day takes place in Ballyshane, Cloyne, on April 1, from 2pm-4.30pm. P25 D120.

There will be a coffee van in the daffodil field, live music, Easter egg hunt and arts/crafts/face painting. Something for all ages to enjoy.

Funds go to the Jack and Jill Foundation: contact 045-894 538, or email info@jackandjill.ie, and Anam Cara: call 085-2888888 or email info@anamcara.ie