15/09/15

Belfast based software specialists, Openwave Mobility have raised £3,000 for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) through their annual sponsored cycle ride. Eighteen members of staff took part in the 40 mile ride to Strangford Loch, Killinchy before returning to Harlequins Rugby Club for a staff family fun day and barbecue.

The company was inspired to raise funds for CLDF by the story of seven year old Therese Heaney, the niece of staff member, Norman Heaney.

“Therese was born with the rare liver disease, biliary atresia,” explains Belfast Site Lead and Chief Technology Officer, Matt Halligan. “She was given corrective surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital when she was just five weeks old but by last year, her condition had deteriorated and in February doctors told her family that the only option was a liver transplant. This went ahead in Birmingham last April and happily Therese is now doing very well.

“However, the causes of biliary atresia are still not known and more research is needed. CLDF provides funds for research into this and other childhood liver diseases. The charity also provides information and support to families who are affected. The Heaneys have told us that the support they received through a very anxious time was phenomenal.

“We raise money for a different charity each year and when we heard Norman’s story we were delighted to make CLDF our choice for this year.

“Our cycle challenge began three years ago as we have a number of keen cyclists on our staff. We were fortunate to get great support this year not only from those who took part but from colleagues and business associates who sponsored them generously. The family fun day was also a great event which went on into evening and the sore legs were soon forgotten about when we met Therese and seen how far she had come only a year after her transplant. We are thrilled to have already beaten our £3,000 fundraising target in support of such a fantastic cause.”

Alison Taylor, Chief Executive of CLDF, added: “We are the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all forms of childhood liver disease, which we do by providing information, support, funds for research and a voice for all affected. To do this, however, we rely on community fundraising for the majority of our income so we are delighted that Openwave Mobility chose us as their charity this year. We are glad that all concerned enjoyed the day and very grateful for their support.”

You can still support Openwave Mobility’s fundraising by going to https://www.justgiving.com/teams/openwavemobility

Openwave Mobility’s Chief Technology Officer, Matt Halligan (red top) is pictured with Therese Heaney
and her family at the company’s family fun day

About Openwave Mobility

Openwave Mobility helps mobile phone operators around the world manage and monetize their mobile data traffic. Openwave Mobility delivers over 40 billion mobile transactions daily to over half a billion mobile subscribers worldwide. The company’s global customer base consists of over 40 of the largest communication service providers. Openwave Mobility has major offices in Redwood City California and Belfast UK.

For more information on CLDF visit childliverdisease.org

Further information from Mairead Ritchie on 0121 212 6012 or [email protected]

Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) is a UK charity which takes action against the effects of childhood liver disease, providing information, emotional support, research funds and a voice for all affected.

For further information please visit www.childliverdisease.org or call 0121 212 3839.

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @tweetCLDF

Facts
1. More children in the UK are currently diagnosed with a liver disease than childhood leukaemia
2. At least two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK
3. Most childhood liver diseases are life threatening; all mean a lifetime of care
4. There are over 100 different liver diseases that can affect babies, children or young people
5. For most childhood liver diseases the cause is unknown and there are no cures
6. CLDF is the leading organisation in the UK dedicated to stamping out childhood liver disease