Tributes to young Keir - an inspiration
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The family of an inspirational young boy who became a well-known face of the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal have paid tribute to their "wee artistic superhero" after he lost his battle against a rare lung disease.
Just last week, Keir MacGruer was featured in The Inverness Courier celebrating the news from his hospital bed that he had raised at least £2500 from an exhibition and sale of his original artwork, featuring his distinctive superhero figures, and handmade cards.
But sadly, the brave eight-year-old, who had been waiting for a lung transplant, died on Sunday having contracted a chest infection and virus.
At their home in Grigor Drive, Lochardil, his parents, Lewis MacGruer and Angela Cran, along with Keir’s 11-year-old brother, Finn, proudly remembered the determined little boy who lived life to the full even in his final days.
"He lived with such hope in his heart. He had such plans for the future," reflected Ms Cran whose mother, Margaret, Keir’s grandmother, died the previous week.
Keir was diagnosed with severe idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, a condition which causes dangerously high blood pressure near the heart, three years ago.
His condition meant he was permanently on oxygen and took a daily cocktail of drugs.
As well as being a regular visitor to Raigmore, he also attended appointments at Glasgow’s Yorkhill Hospital where he was seen by doctors from London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
"There was always the worry with Keir that his condition meant he was on a knife-edge," Ms Cran explained.
"We knew the outlook was really poor in terms of life expectancy.
"Even so, we kept hoping that some new treatment would come along and he would get more time and have better quality of life.
"We had to live in a semi-denial state to carry on because it was too miserable to carry on otherwise. We tried to get up every day and keep going."
A big fan of the TV programme MasterChef, Keir enjoyed cooking and particularly enjoyed curries and spicy foods.
"He said when he got better, he wanted to go to Thailand because he had seen it on MasterChef," Ms Cran recalled.
He was also a well-known visitor to several city restaurants where he would acquire the recipes of favourite dishes including a spicy tomato soup created by the chef at the Royal Highland Hotel and chicken tempura batter from the chef at Cafe 1.
"He loved taking photos of meals," Mr MacGruer recalled.
"Presentation was very important. He loved being the chef in the house.
"If friends came to stay, it had to be a three-course meal and he and his mother would be locked in the kitchen — no-one else could help!
"His ambition was to be a chef. He talked about wanting to open his own cafe in Inverness. I was very proud to be Keir’s father."
Finn remembers happy hours play fighting with his young brother who had "beautiful blue eyes", a wicked sense of humour, wisdom and intell?igence.
"When we were sitting together, I would forget he was ill," Finn said.
"Keir never let on either."
The family has happy memories of a recent family holiday on Skye where Keir caught his first fish, a big pollock, plus trips to Legoland.
Keir was a popular pupil at the Inverness Gaelic School (Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis) in Slackbuie where he was remembered as having a twinkle in his eyes at all times.
After hearing the news of his death, pupils created giant cards with messages and tributes to deliver to the family.
There was also sadness at ARCHIE Foundation which launched the £1 million appeal in conjunction with The Inverness Courier to create a more child-centred and family-friendly ward. Chief executive David Cunningham described Keir as one of ARCHIE’s most enthusiastic and inspiring supporters.
"Keir’s support of the ARCHIE Foundation’s Appeal to develop a new children’s ward at Raigmore Hospital has been exceptional," he said.
"We cannot imagine a more dedicated, hard working and inspiring friend of the charity or a more worthy and suitable young lad to appear as the face of the appeal on so many occasions.
"Keir showed great courage and strength throughout his illness and his happy, infectious smile will be greatly missed.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Keir’s family and friends at this time."
