Rory’s Irish Open Nike shoes designed by local kids affected by cancer

By Love Belfast

May 25, 2015

0

Share

Email

Four young people affected by cancer have sketched their way to success winning a competition to design Nike shoes that will be worn by Rory McIlroy each day from May 28^th to 31^st during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this week.

Across four consecutive days, winners Sara Lockhart (12) from Newtownards, Ryan Keenan (16) from Belfast, Chloe Hyndman (15) from Antrim and Alex Kernaghan (13) from Enniskillen will be invited to take their place on the 18^th hole at Royal County Down to meet and have their photograph taken with Rory as the world watches on.

The children, all of whom have a parent affected by cancer are being supported by the Cancer Fund for Children. They designed the golf shoes at a recent residential in the charity’s Narnia log cabin in Newcastle. The winners were chosen by the world#1 golfer, Rory McIlroy and were made by Nike for Rory to wear throughout the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down.

As well as getting free tickets to the event, the children were also presented by Nike and The Rory Foundation with their very own pair of Nike trainers.

Chloe, who has been supported by the Cancer Fund for Children since she was 12 years-old, said: “My design is a combination of what I would wear and what I thought Rory would like. It was great fun designing them and a privilege to be a part of the whole process but I never thought I would win – I’m delighted!”

Ryan said his green and white design was “Inspired by the Irish Open”. “Designing the Nike shoes was great fun and I really enjoyed the chance to relax and meet new people at the residential.”

Alex’s shoe design is all about individuality: “It says ‘Be You’ on my Nike shoes because that’s all you ever should be – yourself. I also added in a bit of blue as it’s my dad’s favourite colour and yellow to represent the charity.”

Sara did her research before beginning her design: “I read online that Rory really likes different shades of green so I combined that with some of my favourite colours. I really love art and am so happy my design was chosen.”

Rory McIlroy said: “I’m delighted the young people associated with the Cancer Fund for Children got to design my shoes. It really was such a tough decision to pick the four winning designs. I’m really pleased with the effort and attention to detail everyone put in – I can’t wait to wear the different designs at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in Newcastle. It’s going to be very special event for golf and my Foundation.”

Cancer Fund for Children’s Residential Specialist, Marty Pelan who facilitated the shoe design session said: “When I told the children they were going to be designing shoes for a golfing superstar their faces just lit up. Words cannot describe what it meant to them and how excited they were – it was great to see and a fantastic thing to be involved with.”

Gillian Creevy, CEO of the Cancer Fund for Children said: “This was a great opportunity for the children we support and a welcome distraction from the reality of having to cope with a loved one living with cancer. Rory McIlroy and The Rory Foundation is an important part of what we are doing today and what we will do tomorrow. We are grateful and proud to work alongside them.”

Alex Kernaghan, Sara Lockhart, Ryan Keenan and Chloe Hyndman have all won a competition to design shoes that World #1 golfer Rory McIlroy will wear on each of the four days he plays at the upcoming Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The young people who are all supported by Cancer Fund for Children designed the Nike shoes during a residential at the charity’s Narnia Log cabin at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle. The charity will benefit from money raised by the golfer’s Rory Foundation throughout the Open.

Chloe Hyndman, Sara Lockhart, Ryan Keenan and Alex Kernaghan have all won a competition to design shoes that World #1 golfer Rory McIlroy will wear on each of the four days he plays at the upcoming Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The young people who are all supported by Cancer Fund for Children designed the Nike shoes during a residential at the charity’s Narnia Log cabin at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle. The charity will benefit from money raised by the golfer’s Rory Foundation throughout the Open.

Alex Kernaghan, Chloe Hyndman, Sara Lockhart and Ryan Keenan have all won a competition to design shoes that World #1 golfer Rory McIlroy will wear on each of the four days he plays at the upcoming Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The young people who are all supported by Cancer Fund for Children designed the Nike shoes during a residential at the charity’s Narnia Log cabin at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle. The charity will benefit from money raised by the golfer’s Rory Foundation throughout the Open. Also pictured is Cancer Fund for Children CEO Gillian Creevy and the Rory Foundation’s Barry Funston.

Daisy Lodge is Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic short break facility for families affected by cancer. Situated at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, the purpose built facility is the first of its kind.

Rory McIlroy opened Daisy Lodge on the 7th of October 2014 and donated £1m to help with the costs of the facility.

His donation last year has helped almost 400 families from across the island of Ireland affected by cancer enjoy a free short therapeutic break at Daisy Lodge and we hope to do more in this area.

Therapeutic short breaks gives families the chance to relax and spend precious time together away from the pressures of hospital visits and treatment.