Throughout his short life, he was known to all as the Little Fighter – and although four-year-old Myles Higginbotham died almost three years ago, his parents are determined to help other families in their own fight with critical childhood illness.

That’s why his dad Brian is throwing his energy into a major golf fundraiser – for a 32-county charity with a vision is to ensure that no child in Ireland faces cancer alone.

Brian, who lives in Newcastle, is a longstanding member of the Trends Golf Society – all customers and friends of the pub in Salthill – which has held an annual outing for the last 20 years, and this year it takes place in Galway Golf Club on Friday, October 14.

Their charity of choice this year will be Daisy Lodge, which provides vital therapeutic short breaks to children throughout Ireland diagnosed with cancer and their families at its base in Newcastle, Co Down.

And now – with the help of sports stars that include Rory McIlroy and Rory Best – they are progressing with €12.5m plans to open a second centre in Cong, Co Mayo.

“Daisy Lodge is a wonderful haven of peace and tranquillity where families receive the right level of support to relax, connect, and meet other families living through a childhood cancer diagnosis,” explains Brian.

“The demand for short breaks, respite and emotional support is increasing. Unfortunately, for every one family they offer a short break to there are another seven they cannot support due to reaching capacity at their existing centre,” he adds.

Cancer Fund for Children has launched a Fundraising Programme to raise €12.5m to build a much needed second Daisy Lodge in the stunning surroundings of Cong – to ensure every child in Ireland diagnosed with cancer alongside their families receives much needed support.

A year ago, former Ireland Rugby captain, Rory Best walked from Co Down to Co Mayo and raised over €1 million for this project – and a further €1,000,000 has since been raised.

With the support of Rory McIlroy, the charity has acquired a 30-acre site in Cong and received full planning permission – and they hope to start work within the next twelve months.

It’s not the first time that an event honouring Myles has made a difference; a previous golf fundraiser and auction – held back in 2018 when little Myles was in the throes of his illness – made a substantial five-figure sum for the Ronald McDonald House on the grounds of Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

Myles was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia in March 2018, and his parents Brian and Lisa had availed of Ronald McDonald House during his many months of treatment – and this is their effort to help other families going through a similar trauma by supporting Daisy Lodge.

Brian says he is conscious that this is the time of year when other families are preparing to send their children back to school – but for Myles, it’s about keeping alive the memory of a boy who didn’t live long enough for that day to happen.

“While so many are preparing children to start or go back to school, I continue to strive and live in Myles’s honour,” he says.

“This year’s event is a special one for me and the first of many things to come in keeping Myles’s memory alive,” he adds.

The golf fundraiser is a three-ball scramble and is already fully subscribed – anyone who would like to support the Daisy Lodge drive to establish a base in Cong can contribute via cancerfundforchildren.com. And reference ‘Memory of Myles’ if you do.