Latest news with #EdinburghMarathon
Irish Times
07-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Nurse who died running Edinburgh half marathon left ‘an indelible mark'
The requiem mass of a young nurse from Clare who died after participating in the Edinburgh half marathon last month has heard that she was a 'bright and beautiful spirit' who left 'an indelible mark' on those she loved. Olivia Tuohy (24), from Ennis, died on May 25th last. She worked at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, having graduated from Queen Margaret University. Her parents, Kieran and Liz, shared memories of their 'bubbly and kind-hearted daughter' with mourners at Ennis Cathedral today. Liz Tuohy said that they immediately booked a flight from Dublin to Edinburgh when they received the news of what had happened to Olivia at the marathon. READ MORE [ ] 'When we were travelling up to Dublin to go to Edinburgh, we were near the airport and the next thing, my sister said 'Oh my God, look at the rainbow.' There is this big, massive double rainbow – the wildest, biggest [rainbow]. I just remember saying 'Fly High, baby girl'.' 'I would just like to say to family and friends that whenever you see a rainbow, think of Olivia because she will be flying high.' Mrs Tuohy thanked family and friends for their 'unwavering support' in the aftermath of the tragedy. She also expressed her appreciation for the medics and runners who went to the aid of Olivia in Edinburgh. She also took tine to thank the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for all of their efforts on behalf of the family. Kieran Tuohy said Olivia had a 'short' yet 'beautiful life' and had left them with countless memories which they will treasure. [ The sudden death of a young runner touches running spirits everywhere Opens in new window ] Mr Tuohy spoke of his pride in having seen his daughter pass her driving test on her first attempt after an inauspicious start when he was tasked with teaching her the basics. He said the lesson involved the slamming of doors, strong words, apologies and a promise that 'tomorrow there will be no shouting'. Her brother Stephen urged mourners to capture images of their loved ones 'because you might not have the person sitting beside you right now forever'. Olivia's boyfriend Michael said that there was 'nothing left unsaid' between him and the 'kind, beautiful, gorgeous soul' with whom he had shared so many happy times. Offertory symbols included a football and hurley, her nursing uniform, badge and a memory book from staff in the Royal Infirmary, a shopping bag and an Aperol Spritz glass. Burial followed at Drumcliffe Cemetery. A guard of honour was provided at the funeral by some of the clubs with whom Olivia had played before her relocation to Scotland. Ms Tuohy played football with Banner Ladies and camogie with Eire Óg. She was also a junior player with Ennis Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club. She is survived by her parents Kieran and Liz and her brother Stephen and his partner Laura, her partner Michael and his parents Maria-Elena and Steven, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours and her friends in Ireland and Edinburgh.
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Brave Ava backs skin disease campaign in memory of two baby sisters she never got to meet
Determined Ava Gardiner, from Tarbolton, Ayrshire, is taking on a full year of gruelling challenges for TEAM EB in the battle against the painful condition, also known as Butterfly Skin. Celebs and everyday Scots are signing up to join TEAM EB with the Daily Record by taking on a challenge for DEBRA this summer. But determined Ava Gardiner is going even further with a full year of gruelling missions for the charity, dedicated to the two sisters she never got to meet. The 21-year-old's family, from Tarbolton, Ayrshire, have been deeply impacted by EB, or Butterfly Skin, as her older sisters Georgia and Freya tragically lost their battles against the condition. Ava is determined to help other families find hope of a cure. She said: 'I will forever be connected to DEBRA and will continue the good fight in memory of my sisters for as long as it takes to eradicate this horrendous condition. 'I chose to dedicate my 21st year to pursuing several personal challenges and raising awareness of EB. They have not been without pain but that's my challenge. 'I can now tick off Edinburgh Marathon, May 2024, Aintree half Marathon, February 2025, Kelpies Supernova, March 2025 and Barcelona Hyrox, April 2025. 'This week, I will attempt Tough Mudder Scotland for TEAM EB. 'If one person in every town and village is inspired to take on their own challenge, however small, then together, the Daily Record and TEAM EB will achieve something wonderful. 'I know how proud my Mum is of all three of her daughters and she is my biggest supporter. 'My family will be forever grateful to DEBRA for its care and support and that is why I will continue to fight so that families in the future never go through the pain of losing a child to EB.' Ava's parents, Kirsteen and Sam, had never even heard of EB until their first daughter Georgia was born with the rare form, Severe Junctional EB, 25 years ago. She said: 'This is fatal in infancy due to such severe blistering across the whole body and internal organs, making it difficult for infants to feed and digest food. 'Born after a normal pregnancy, Georgia arrived into the world with significant damage to her skin and immediately struggled to breathe. She was very quickly taken to special care and my parents were told that Georgia would be unlikely to survive to night and were supported to say their final goodbyes. 'Georgia miraculously survived her first night in this world although my parents knew her life could end at any moment. Doctors liaised with experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London and the family learned the full extent and horror of EB. 'At that time DEBRA did not have a dedicated team in Scotland and advice for practitioners came from specialists in London. Georgia died aged four weeks old. Ava said: 'In that short time she made a massive impact.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. DEBRA reached out to Ava's parents and began a relationship that sadly would be very much needed again and less than two years later they were pregnant with their second child. The charity had expanded its services in Scotland and in 2002 co-ordinated pre-natal testing and pregnancy support for the couple. A foetal skin biopsy sadly confirmed that, like her sister, Freya also had EB. Ava said: 'My Mum's experience carrying and delivering a baby with EB was hugely different second time around. Although the outcome was inevitable, Mum's understanding of EB together with the healthcare team's approach ensured Freya's arrival was unique. 'DEBRA provided guidance and advice for everyone involved in Freya's care and early in 2003, she was born into this world inside her amniotic sac, a rare occurrence but one which kept Freya's skin perfectly protected and unblistered for her precious first moments in the world. 'Like her elder sister, Freya was a fighter. Her battle with EB lasted for three months.' When the couple got pregnant for a third time they again travelled to London for testing. Thankfully, doctors were able to confirm that their third daughter, Ava, did not have EB. Ava grew up with her family campaigning to raise funds for DEBRA to help stop other families facing the ordeals they had – but insists more needs to be done to educate. She said: 'I have many early memories of my parents fundraising for DEBRA at our village gala days. They did anything from selling homemade tablet to braving zip slides. Mum's friends donated proceeds from their own events over the years, all to raise vital funds for research and ultimately a cure for EB. 'My local community is aware of EB because of my family's experience and that will be the same in other towns up and down the country but the reach needs to be greater in order to make the difference the EB community deserves. 'The Daily Record's support of Team EB this year will help to do this, sharing our message across the whole country – thank you to them and to everyone who wants to help.' Former Gers boss Graeme Souness swam the Channel this month for DEBRA while charity ambassador Scott Brown, who starred for Celtic, is also urging Scots to join in. Join Team EB by signing up for any challenge you choose, from marathons or swims to short walks or extra steps each day.
Scotsman
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
There was only one concert to be at in Edinburgh on Saturday night and it wasn't Robbie Williams
There was only one concert to be at in Edinburgh on Saturday night and it wasn't Robbie Williams Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... contributed Many famous faces have played Scotland's only five star concert hall since it opened in 1914 including Ella Fitzgerald, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, and Led Zeppelin. But as magnificent as those gigs will have been I'm not sure anything can match what 400 Rock Choir members and their friends and families experienced in the Usher Hall on Saturday night. We're all still buzzing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In celebration of her 15 years leading Rock Choir in Scotland Elaine Williamson coached her amateur singers to put on the performance of a lifetime in a beautiful venue, renowned for its excellent acoustics. I mean this was big for us. We're more normally to be found singing for runners at the Edinburgh Marathon, or in John Lewis Glasgow, raising money for the Beatson Institute. You might have seen us on the steps of The Dome at Christmastime. We don't normally have access to a dressing room. For many outdoor performances we store our bags at our feet, like penguins. From the instantly recognisable guitar riff of Guns N' Roses Sweet Child O' Mine which opened the show to the infectious 80s film theme to Flashdance (What a Feeling) which was the finale, we rocked, bopped, swayed and clicked our way through a two hour repertoire of Rock Choir's finest tunes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With choir members from Kirkintilloch, Glasgow West AM, Glasgow West PM, Edinburgh West Afternoon and Edinburgh Morningside Evening making up the performers, this was classic Rock Choir ambition achieved. Most of us don't read music. We love to sing but we have had no formal training. But we want to do Elaine proud so we rehearse our different harmony parts from soprano, upper alto, lower alto to bass and practise hard. Read more here: I spoke to my favourite member of Pulp and discovered they're Scottish We download the dance moves and work til we get it right. Along the way there is a lot of laughter, new friendships are formed and it's basically pure joy to be involved. See exhibit A - the video of us performing I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith last Saturday. If you missed this gig we're going head to head with another pair of 90s icons when Oasis play Murrayfield next month and we sing on the Fringe. (We have a sense of humour, we're learning a Rock Choir arrangement of Roll With It). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
When Rock Choir rocked the Usher Hall
There was only one concert to be at in Edinburgh on Saturday night and it wasn't Robbie Williams Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Many famous faces have played Scotland's only five star concert hall since it opened in 1914 including Ella Fitzgerald, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, and Led Zeppelin. But as magnificent as those gigs will have been I'm not sure anything can match what 400 Rock Choir members and their friends and families experienced in the Usher Hall on Saturday night. We're all still buzzing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In celebration of her 15 years leading Rock Choir in Scotland Elaine Williamson coached her amateur singers to put on the performance of a lifetime in a beautiful venue, renowned for its excellent acoustics. I mean this was big for us. We're more normally to be found singing for runners at the Edinburgh Marathon, or in John Lewis Glasgow, raising money for the Beatson Institute. You might have seen us on the steps of The Dome at Christmastime. We don't normally have access to a dressing room. For many outdoor performances we store our bags at our feet, like penguins. From the instantly recognisable guitar riff of Guns N' Roses Sweet Child O' Mine which opened the show to the infectious 80s film theme to Flashdance (What a Feeling) which was the finale, we rocked, bopped, swayed and clicked our way through a two hour repertoire of Rock Choir's finest tunes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With choir members from Kirkintilloch, Glasgow West AM, Glasgow West PM, Edinburgh West Afternoon and Edinburgh Morningside Evening making up the performers, this was classic Rock Choir ambition achieved. Most of us don't read music. We love to sing but we have had no formal training. But we want to do Elaine proud so we rehearse our different harmony parts from soprano, upper alto, lower alto to bass and practise hard. We download the dance moves and work til we get it right. Along the way there is a lot of laughter, new friendships are formed and it's basically pure joy to be involved. See exhibit A - the video of us performing I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith last Saturday. If you missed this gig we're going head to head with another pair of 90s icons when Oasis play Murrayfield next month and we sing on the Fringe. (We have a sense of humour, we're learning a Rock Choir arrangement of Roll With It). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Sun
03-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Tragedy as ‘bright & beautiful' runner, 24, dies during half marathon in Scotland
TRIBUTES have been paid to a "bright and beautiful" runner who tragically died during a Scottish half marathon. Olivia Tuohy, 24, sadly passed away after participating in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on Sunday, May 25. 2 The Irish national, from County Clare, was a student at Queen Margaret University on the outskirts of the capital. Her passing has shocked the tight-knit community in Ennis, where she hailed from. In a moving tribute, her heartbroken family said: "Olivia, a bright and beautiful spirit, passed away on 25 May while participating in the Edinburgh Half Marathon. "Olivia's bubbly personality and kind heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her. "Olivia is survived by her heartbroken parents, Kieran and Liz; her brother Stephen and his partner Laura; her loving partner Michael and his parents Maria-Elena and Steven; her aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours, and her friends both in Ireland and Edinburgh." Tragic Olivia was part of the Clare Ladies GAA football team. Her devastated teammates also paid tribute to their late colleague. They said: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Olivia Tuohy. "Her kindness, warmth, and vibrant spirit touched so many lives on and off the football field, and her absence will be felt profoundly. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, her partner, and all who loved her during this difficult time. May she rest in peace." The Banner Ladies football club, for whom she also played, said: "We wish to express our sadness at the passing of our friend and former teammate, Olivia Tuohy, daughter of Liz and Kieran. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents, her brother Stephen, her partner Michael, and her family at this sad time. May her gentle soul rest in peace." A minute's silence was observed at all games in Clare yesterday. Olivia is survived by her heartbroken parents, Kieran and Liz; her brother Stephen and his partner Laura; and her partner Michael. No funeral arrangements have been announced as yet. However, the family has stated that donations, if desired, should be made to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
