Biker fundraiser for treatment for Navan boy with rare illness

A spectacular convoy of motorcycles will arrive at the the home of a little boy in Navan on Sunday, along with a Garda escort.

The South Dublin bikers are staging a rideout from the Maxol Garage on Dublin's Long Mile Road at 10am to Emmet Tce in Navan, the home of nine year old Nathan Ward.

The rideout is a fundraiser for brave Nathan who suffers from an extremely rare condition called Primary Immunodeficiency Disorder which requires blood transfusions and constant antibiotics, as his immune system cannot fight off infections.

Nathan's parents, Amanda and Ray, are hoping to bring their son to Boston for stem cell treatment which would mean he could live the life of a normal little boy and along with his big sister Megan are raising funds so he can have this life changing treatment.

"Nathan has no immune system and cannot fight infections. He has to be kept home during winter and any time there are illnesses in the school and he cannot play with his classmates. He has to be very careful. We nearly lost him last year,"

Amanda explains that the treatment in Boston would last for about eight years so Nathan could play with friends and grow up like a normal little boy. He wouldn't need the regular blood transfusions and would be able to fight infection.

Nathan is a third class pupil of St Anne's Primary School. "He loves school and the school are amazing with him but he has to stay at home so often."

He was recently treated to a day out in Dail Eireann by Deputy Johnny Guirke. "He absolutely loved it, he was so excited seeing everything and chatting to the gardai. He wants to be a motorcycle garda."

Nathan won the hearts of the South Dublin bikers when they visited Navan recently.

"He was in Supermacs with his Dad and he saw a lot of motorbikes outside and asked could he go and look at hem. Ray said to go but to be careful and not to go far," Amanda explains.

"When Ray went out, Nathan was sitting on one of the bikes, chatting away to the bikers. They had give him a sticker and he thought it was one of the happiest days of his life.

"I contacted them afterwards and told them how happy they had made him and explained he is a very sick little boy."

Nathan had won the hearts of the bikers, who decided to hold a rideout to raise funds for him.

"When we heard about his condition, we really wanted to help get him to Boston,," said biker Lee Carberry Moran.

"We are leaving the Maxol garage on Long Mile Road on Sunday at 10am and travelling through Lucan, Clonee and onto Navan."

"He absolutely loves bikes and we want this to be a big surprise for him."

Any one who would like to help Nathan get to the US for treatment can donate at https://gofund.me/3c86c7af