Chesters Chance

10/05/2026

A year today since you gained your angel wings,
and not a single day has passed where you haven’t been thought about 🧡🦁

From the moment we wake, to the moment we try to sleep, you are there.
In every lion we see.
In every little flash of orange.
In every brave child fighting battles too big for their tiny bodies.

One year ago today, our world changed forever.
After 38 days walking the halls of the Haematology Ward,
holding onto hope with everything we had,
we had to say goodbye to our beautiful boy.

People often ask how we keep going.
The truth is, some days we don’t know ourselves.
Grief isn’t linear. It’s messy, painful and relentless.
But through the darkness, we have been carried by the love around us.
By our family, our friends, our community and every single person who has stood beside us through this unimaginable year.

Because of Chester.
Because of his strength.
Because of the encouragement and support you have given our family…
we refused to let his name fade into silence.

In just one short year, together we have raised over £40,000 through Chester’s Chance to support families and children walking the same path we did. Families facing long days, sleepless nights, fear, heartbreak and uncertainty inside the Haematology Ward.

What started from heartbreak has become a legacy of love, kindness and hope.

To everyone who has donated, shared a post, sent a message, attended an event, wore orange, spoke Chester’s name or simply held us up when we felt like falling apart… thank you will never feel enough.

Our beautiful boy may no longer walk beside us,
but his legacy walks ahead of us every single day.

Forever loved.
Forever missed.
Forever two. 🧡🦁

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chesterschance?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL

09/05/2026

🧡 On the eve of our beautiful boy Chester’s first anniversary, we wanted to share these lovely photos of Chester’s big brother and cousins at the Marist 5K yesterday. 🦁

Sometimes it’s not always about fundraising. Sometimes it’s simply about showing up. Raising awareness of Chester’s Chance, our little lion, our name, our mission and our slogan. Encouraging people to Google us, read Chester’s story and learn why we continue to do what we do every single day. 🧡

Last night, funds were raised for an incredible group, The Maria Goretti Foundation, and Chester’s cousins proudly insisted on wearing their Chester lion tops with pride from start to finish. Seeing our little lion carried so proudly by the children who love him most means more than words could ever explain.

We are beyond grateful for everything our friends and family continue to do for us. The support, the kindness, the conversations, the sharing of posts, the wearing of our tops, the showing up… it never goes unnoticed. 🧡

Please keep spreading our little lion’s word. 🦁

If you would like to help us continue helping families and children within the Haematology Ward at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, our JustGiving page is thankfully back up and running:

🧡 https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chesterschance?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL

08/05/2026

A gentle reminder of our beautiful boys mass on Sunday 🧡

There are moments in the year that feel heavier than others… and this is one of them 🧡

As we approach our beautiful boy Chester’s first anniversary, our hearts are feeling it more than ever. Looking back at photos from this time last year, we never could have imagined we were living through his final 10 days. Time stood still then, and in so many ways, it still does.

We would like to invite all our family and friends to join us in remembering our precious boy at his First Anniversary Mass.

📍 St Joseph’s Church, Meigh
📅 Sunday 10th May 2026
⏰ 10.00am

If you can, please wear orange to help us light up the chapel for Chester 🧡

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to each and every person who has stood by us this past year. You have been our strength, our comfort, and our support through the unimaginable.

No parent, no sibling, should ever have to go through what we have. But having you all beside us has made the darkest days a little bit lighter.

Forever remembering our beautiful boy… our Chester Roonies.. forever two 🧡🦁

08/05/2026

🧡 A little update from us at Chester’s Chance 🧡

Just before last week’s marathon, our JustGiving page unfortunately went down and was pending identity verification checks at the worst possible time. Thankfully, everything is now back up and running again 🙌🏼

To everyone who reached out, shared posts, donated through alternative methods, or waited patiently while we got things sorted… thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your kindness and support means more than you will ever know.

If you had planned to support our amazing marathon team but didn’t get the chance while the page was unavailable, you can now donate using the link below 🧡

Every penny raised helps us continue supporting families and children in the Haematology Ward at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children, all in memory of our beautiful Chester, forever two 🦁✨

💛 Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chesterschance?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL


🧡

03/05/2026

What a day for Chester’s Chance 🧡

A massive congratulations to Paul, David, Claire, Tara & Kevin who absolutely annihilated the Belfast Marathon today. Every mile, every step, every push when it got tough… all done for our beautiful boy. We are beyond proud of you all 🧡

Chester may not be here to cross that finish line, but he was in every heartbeat, every cheer, and every ounce of strength that carried you through. Forever Two, forever with us 🧡🦁

These are not just runners… these are real life heroes. The dedication, the love, and the heart behind this team is something truly special.

If you would like to support Chester’s Chance and help us continue supporting families in the haematology ward, donations can be made via:

🧡 PayPal (Friends & Family): eimear@itseimearsdesigns.com
🧡 Revolut: https://revolut.me/emmalouisevint
Please note: “Donation for Chester’s Chance”

And keep an eye out… we’ve a very special reel coming your way later 🧡

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has supported, cheered, donated and believed in this journey 🧡

03/05/2026

Up early and on the move this morning… and now safely landed in Belfast 🧡🏃‍♂️

A massive thank you to our friend Sean at Nine Squared who opened up early just for us and treated the team to coffees and drinks before we set off ☕️🧡 your kindness means more than you know, especially on a day like today.

Fuelled, grateful and ready to go for our beautiful boy 🧡🦁

ninesquaredcoffee

🧡

02/05/2026

Little Piper, Chester’s beautiful cousin, sending all her love and the biggest good luck wishes to her Uncle David ahead of tomorrow’s marathon 🧡

“Go run for Chester” 🧡

Moments like this are what it’s all about… the love, the support, and the reason behind every single mile being run 🧡 Chester’s story continues to bring people together in the most heartfelt way, and we know David will carry that love with him every step of the way tomorrow 🧡

Best of luck David, we’re all so proud of you 🧡🏃‍♂️

RunWithHeart 🧡

02/05/2026

Little Piper, Chester’s beautiful cousin, sending all her love and the biggest good luck wishes to her Uncle David ahead of tomorrow’s marathon 🧡

“Go run for Chester” 🧡

Moments like this are what it’s all about… the love, the support, and the reason behind every single mile being run 🧡 Chester’s story continues to bring people together in the most heartfelt way, and we know David will carry that love with him every step of the way tomorrow 🧡

Best of luck David, we’re all so proud of you 🧡🏃‍♂️

🧡

02/05/2026

’Twas the night before marathon, and all through the house,
The T-shirts shone orange, laid out neat as a blouse.
The race bibs were pinned with the utmost of care,
In hopes that race morning would soon be there.

The runners were buzzing, hearts full and awake,
With thoughts of the difference tomorrow will make.
For we are running for Chester, our beautiful boy,
Turning love into purpose, through strength and through joy. 🧡🦁

Tara and Paul, David, Kevin and Claire too,
Each step that they take is a tribute so true.
Through miles they will carry his light and his name,
For families like ours walking paths just the same. 🧡

Raising much needed funds, giving hope where we can,
For the children and parents in the ward who first began
To hold us together through the hardest of days,
We run now with gratitude in so many ways. 🧡

To the nurses and staff who cared with such grace,
We carry your kindness in every step, every pace.
And a heartfelt thank you, loud, proud and true,
To our jersey sponsors who’ve backed what we do…

🧡 wearefolkscoffee
🧡 justgoodgrub
🧡 innov8gymnewry
🧡 itseimearsdesigns

So tomorrow they run, with purpose and pride,
With Chester beside them in every stride.
From our team to you all, thank you for care,
Your love and your support will carry them there. 🧡🧡