Caring cousin runs in memory of Stephen

Jul 8 2011 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

A CARING cousin hopes to raise a bundle in memory of a much-loved Stewarton teenager.

Kirsty McLeod’s young cousin Stephen Ezzi was only 14 when he died suddenly of Cardiomyopathy last December.

And now the Aberdeen student is going to run in the city’s 5K fun run in September to raise cash for the Cardiomyopathy Association in Stephen’s memory.

Kirsty, 25, said: “Stephen was my little cousin, and trying to come to terms with what has happened has been an extremely difficult process. Because of this, I am trying to find a productive way to cope with the grief.

“This is why I am taking part in the run. This is really important to me and I would love to make as much money as possible for this cause.

“Stephen’s death devastated the whole family. It was such a shocking thing to happen, you don’t expect the unthinkable to happen in your own family.”

After Stephen’s death, Kirsty began to carry put research on the condition which claimed his young life and found that funds were needed to keep the charity afloat.

Kirsty, who has an older brother, Chris, said: “I had never heard of the condition before Stephen died and the charity relies heavily on donations, so I started thinking about what I could do for them to raise awareness and some money.

“When I saw the fun run was coming up I decided to go for it and I start training this week, gradually building my fitness up.

“I am looking forward to the run and doing this in Stephen’s memory.”

If you would like to contribute to Kirsty’s cause, log onto http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KirstyMcLeod

Stephen, of Ravenscraig Road, was a fourth-year pupil at Stewarton Academy at the time of his untimely death, and was well-known for his passion for music.

He had been feeling unwell for a few days before his mum made the tragic discovery when she went to waken him on last December 6.