Meet the Farmers

In memory of Eleanor - Michael Kavanagh shares his family's experience of losing their 2 year old

Episode Summary

Michael Kavanagh shares his family’s heartbreaking story of losing their 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor, to sudden viral pneumonia in January 2025. In her memory, he and his wife Di are undertaking incredible endurance challenges to raise awareness and funds through The Eleanor Challenge. Please donate if you can.

Episode Notes

In this heartfelt episode, Michael Kavanagh shares his journey of grief following the tragic loss of his daughter Eleanor in January 2025. He discusses the challenges faced by his family, the importance of community support, and the promise he made to Eleanor to live a life well lived.

On Sunday 26th January 2025, 2 year old, Eleanor and her big sister Fiona, went to bed like any other night. Their parents Di and Michael played with them, read them stories, tucked them in and sang a lullaby. Both children went to sleep happy and loved. The following morning, Monday 27th January, Di went into the girls’ room to discover the unthinkable had happened. Eleanor had passed away in her sleep. Having had no signs of a worrying illness, and the brightest, happiest, healthiest little girl they had absolutely no warning there was anything to be concerned about. The postmortem would come back some 12 weeks later showing she had viral pneumonia.

In this episode which some viewers may find difficult, Michael Kavanagh describes his and Di's experience this year, grief, counselling and undertaking immense challenges in memory of Eleanor. Di has already completed her cycle from London to Paris in extreme conditions. Michael will be leaving their new home in Oxfordshire on Saturday 25th October, and within 24 hours he will run (and walk) to Eleanor’s grave 80 miles away in Shropshire. Three marathons, back-to-back. Off road. Through the night.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT MICHAEL AND ELEANOR PLEASE VISIT https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/9936/the-eleanor-challenge/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:47 The Tragic Loss of Eleanor
05:56 Life After Loss: The Kavanagh Family's Journey
08:57 Michael's New Farming Challenge
11:51 Eleanor's Memory and the Promise of a Life Well Lived
14:53 Community Support and Resilience
17:42 Finding Joy Amidst Grief
26:25 Navigating Grief: Personal Insights
30:28 The Importance of Counseling and Support
35:29 Channeling Grief into Action: The Challenges Ahead
44:36 Charity and Community: Honoring Eleanor's Memory
51:02 Messages of Hope and Resilience

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