ISLANDERS are being urged to lace up their running shoes and turn out in support of a 23-year-old medical student who lost all four limbs after contracting a life-threatening infection earlier this year.
A 10km fundraiser and cake sale will take place at St Ouen’s Bay on Sunday 4 May to raise funds to help give sports-loving Islander Lily McGarry her independence back after she developed sepsis.
The ‘Run for Lily’ event has been organised by her long-time friend Daisy McAllister, who said she wants to show Lily “how deeply loved and supported she is through her recovery.”
This comes after the Cardiff University medical student was rushed to hospital in January with flu-like symptoms, which rapidly worsened into septic shock.
The 23-year-old was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, a severe and aggressive infection.
Despite suffering two cardiac arrests, Lily fought for her life – but the infection caused severe blood flow issues, and the former Jersey College for Girls student lost all four limbs as a result.
Daisy, who has known Lily since their school days at JCG, said she wanted to do something tangible to help her friend and show her how much she is supported.
“She has been a good friend since we were at school together. She is genuinely the brightest, kindest, warmest person,” Daisy told the JEP.
“It was such a shock to hear when I found out that she had meningitis, especially as she is so active and healthy and has always been involved in sports.”
Daisy said the fundraiser is not just about covering medical costs but about giving Lily the chance to reclaim her independence and continue living life on her own terms.
“Lily absolutely deserves access and opportunity not only to the sports she loves but to experience a life on her terms of her choosing.
“Advanced prosthetics are available through private companies which are expensive but Lily deserves the very best that modern medicine and technology can offer her,” she said.
As well as prosthetics, Daisy explained there are further costs involved in adapting Lily’s home and car, and ensuring she has access to long-term medical care and support.
“There are also costs regarding further medical care and making her home accessible for her. While Lily’s strength and resilience have been inspiring in battling meningitis, it is still early stages in the recovery process and I do not want cost to be a factor or concern for Lily and her family in getting her the very best care possible,” she added.
Last week, Lily’s family launched a fundraising page to help meet these expenses. It has already surpassed its £250,000 target and raised more than £296,000.
Any extra funds raised through the campaign will go to UK amputee charity Limb Power, which supports individuals and families affected by limb loss.
Speaking to the JEP, Lily’s mum Joanne Gorrod said the level of support “had been fantastic.”
She said: “Lily will need some kind of assistance for the rest of her life. It’s now our role to help her become independent again.”
The next goal for Lily is for her to slowly transition out of intensive care and build up strength, which will likely take many months, her mum said.
“A lot of adaptations will be needed,” she added. “She will probably spend quite a bit of her time in a wheelchair as well as prosthetics. We will have to adapt her car, her living space. There’s a huge amount to plan for her.”
Lily also wants to resume her studies with Cardiff University, where she was in her second year of study to become a doctor, when she can.
Anyone who would like to take part in the run, donate baked goods for the cake sale, or simply show support is welcome to join the event, which will start at La Braye at 9am on 4 May.
Donations can be made via Lily’s GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/979dcca8.
More information about the event can be found on Facebook.
Lily’s family have asked the public to avoid contacting her directly while she remains in a vulnerable position
