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Rory McNee provides the inspiration for fund-raising Tour de Tay

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A five-year-old Errol boy, who was left with damaged hearing and kidneys following meningitis, has inspired a 40-strong group of relatives and friends to tackle what they are calling the Tour de Tay.

On Saturday the group will set off from the Tay at Kenmore and cycle alongside the river to Broughty Ferry to raise money for the renal unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where Rory McNee gets treatment and support.

Rory and big brother Craig (6), both pupils at Errol Primary School, will be cheering on mumAudrey, dad Derek and all their friends taking part in the cycling challenge.

When Rory fell ill with pneumococcal meningitis as a toddler, his parents feared he would not survive.

He had not been vaccinated against the potential killer disease when he fell ill in November, 2006.

Thankfully he survived, but has been left with long-term effects to his hearing and kidneys and still regularly attends hospital.

Derek said, “His kidneys were severely damaged and he only has 42% of kidney function. It will never repair. That is why he still goes yet to the renal unit and may well need a transplant later on in life.”

At the same time as he developed meningitis, Rory was infected by another life-threatening virus, haemolytic uremic syndrome, which began shutting down his intern al organs, particularly his kidneys.

The paediatric team at Ninewells quickly realised Rory would have to be transferred to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital.

He spent 10 days in the intensive care and high dependency units at the Glasgow hospital, then a further four weeks in the renal ward where kidney dialysis, plasma replacement and blood transfusions became the daily routine.ChecksFour years on, Rory still has to visit Ninewells for six-monthly checks regarding his blood pressure and kidney function.

His blood pressure runs a little high and Rory’s consultant would like him to have it monitored for a 24-hour period.

Unfortunately Ninewells does not have a children’s portable blood pressure monitor/kit he can use.

“While Ninewells have a great staff, when Rory needs a blood pressure monitor he has to go down to Yorkhill and get it fitted, come home and go back down again for them to take the readings,” said Derek.

Now Derek, Audrey and their supporters want to raise money for the Ninewells unit.

The Tour de Tay isexpected to raise between £6000 and £7000, including cash raised from other events leading up to the effort on Saturday.

The cash will be used to purchase 24-hour blood pressure monitors and associated computer software for the Ninewells renal unit.

Derek said many people had offered support and he was particularly grateful to Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association, which made available its premises at Broughty pier.

“They have kindly lent us the use of their place down there and there is going to be a buffet,” said Derek.

He is also grateful to A & B Taxis, which will provide transport to take cyclists to Kenmore to collect their cars.

A team of cyclists from the McNees’ neighbour Cairn O’ Mohr winery are also participating.