It would have been his third birthday.

But this year, the family and friends of Sonny Curran, who sadly passed away at just 25 days old in October of 2020, will be out in force to support his dad, Colin as he raises vital funds in his memory.

On Saturday, September 23rd, Colin Curran from Knocknaheeny, who is a porter at the Mercy University Hospital, Cork, will complete a charity skydive in memory of the tiny baby whose short life touched the hearts of his family and the close-knit community in Cork’s northside.

When he was born, Sonny was diagnosed with CDH, meaning he had a hole in his diaphragm. Tragically, he passed away in the care of the staff of Crumlin Children’s Hospital a few weeks later.

Three years on, Colin’s skydive in aid of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation’s Kids & Teens Appeal will help raise money to help other families facing the same unimaginable situation.

Photo: Darragh Kane

Colin will be joined by a group of colleagues, hospital porters, Phil Aldridge, Evan Cashman, James Taylor, Micheal Murray, and Jimmy McCarthy; as well as healthcare assistant, Jason O’Sullivan from the Mercy University Hospital, who will all complete the charity skydive at Irish Parachute Club, Co. Offaly later this month.

“Each year, my wife Karen and I mark Sonny’s birthday in a special way,” said Colin.

“This year I am delighted that my colleagues from The Mercy, a hospital that means so much to so many in our local community, will join me in honouring Sonny’s memory, by taking to the skies with me. The funds we raise will help other families with sick children in The Mercy to have the most comfortable experience possible, in what is a very difficult time in their lives.”

To donate to the ‘Sonny Curran Memorial Skydive’ fundraiser, visit idonate.ie/fundraiser/colinCurran to make a one-off donation.