Elgin paramedic reflects on near decade of Cannonbawz rallies three years on from brother's tragic death
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AN Elgin paramedic is preparing for his tenth Cannonbawz Run three years on from his brother's tragic passing.
Kris O'Neill came up with the idea for the event after being inspired by his brother Liam who suffered from an extremely rare genetic condition known as Marfan syndrome.
The condition affects connective tissue around the body leading to many complications including collapsed lungs.
Sadly, Liam, who Kris describes as his "hero", passed away in 2021 but his legacy lives on through the Cannonbawz Run which has not only raised thousands of pounds for charity but also awareness of Marfan syndrome itself.
Cannonbawz X has afforded Kris time to reflect on nearly 10 years of the event.
He said: "We started the run in 2015 after a good chat about our love of cars, Burt Reynolds movies and realising that there was no organised car mobile events in Scotland at the time.
"So we wanted to offer a family friendly and affordable car event that anyone could take part in to raise money for the charity that had supported my brother from a baby, the Marfan Trust.
"Liam had many huge life threatening operations. The first being when he was only four.
"It's a hugely rare condition and it can go unnoticed until it is sadly too late so early diagnosis and starting treatment is a must.
"Cannonbawz has not just helped aid research and treatment but has helped raise a huge amount of awareness of this horrible disease."
The first Cannonbawz Run in 2015 managed to attract seven cars. Kris and Liam were "delighted" with that total during the event's early days.
However, Cannonbawz X, set to begin on August 24, will see over 50 cars embark on a 560 mile journey around the North Coast 500 with an overnight stop in Ullapool for a charity auction.
The group will then set off early the following morning before concluding the journey at Dunrobin Castle in Golspie.
"The auction is a great way to further help these charities," Kris said.
"We've had many kind donations over the years from bottles of spirit, touring car driver gloves as well as hampers. It all helps."
October 22 saw the birth of Kris' first child Luca Liam Ferguson-O'Neill. He was named in honour of his uncle.
"Liam was and still is everyone's hero and the strongest man I have ever met," Kris added.
"I always have a picture of him in my passenger seat.
"He was the most loyal, supportive, kindest, incredible friend and brother we could ever ask for."
Registration for upcoming Cannonbawz events can be found here.
