The unbreakable bloodline – by Britannia Duffy
Carrying forward the legacy of Ryalla Duffy through grit, grace, and family devotion
Where do I begin? Who do I begin with? When you come from a community built on legacy, pride, and an unspoken strength that runs through our bloodlines, the stories of our people don’t just inspire — they echo.
Many of you reading this will know our beloved mother, Ryalla Duffy. She left behind a legacy to be proud of, a standard of strength that we carry forward every day. Today, that exact same unbreakable spirit lives on in her family — specifically through the breathtaking journeys of her grandson, Levi‑George, and her daughter, Eliza.
The road back to strength: Levi‑George’s triumph
At just 19 years old, the same year he faced the heartbreak of losing his granny and uncle Absy, Levi‑George was diagnosed with Guillain‑Barré Syndrome (GBS). In what felt like a cruel heartbeat, a vibrant young man was left nearly paralysed.
But giving up isn’t in our nature. Levi‑George didn’t just learn to walk again; two years later, he conquered the brutal Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours. Alongside close family and friends, he claimed the summits of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon — not just to raise vital funds for the charity that helped him, but to prove to himself that GBS would never beat him.
“I have good days and worser days with my health, but I’m lucky to be where I am,” says Levi‑George.
Just recently, Levi‑George crossed the finish line of a gruelling half marathon in 1 hour 37 minutes. Supported side‑by‑side by his friend Jimmy Burnside and his brother‑in‑law Paul‑Tyler, he pushed through 13 miles — a feat hard enough for most people, let alone a young man who has been through so much.
This time, he didn’t do it for money. He did it for himself, refusing to take his health for granted or let it hold him back.
When asked how he felt after crossing that finish line, he said:
“I am proud that I did it and now I want to do a full marathon. I have good days and worser days with my health, but I’m lucky to be where I am.”
A mother’s devotion: Eliza and her miracle boy
The very same determination flows through Levi‑George’s aunt, Eliza. This October (2026), she is conquering her own monumental challenge — walking 62 miles while balancing the intense daily care of her son, Casanova.
Born profoundly poorly, Casanova has stumped medical science. In the words of one of his many specialists, “Casanova is a medical miracle.” Told he would likely never walk unassisted, and with the family called to his bedside several times to say goodbye and send him to the Lord, Casanova defies them all.
Even with his latest diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, alongside PEG feeding, physiotherapy, endless hospital stays, and two other siblings to care for, his mother is hitting the pavement to walk 62 miles in a single month to raise money for Diabetes UK.
In Eliza’s own words:
“I will be walking in honour of my son Casanova, who was diagnosed at the age of 5. I took him to hospital where he was rushed into resus, and I was told it was touch and go whether he would make it.
Since his diagnosis of T1 he has dealt with many changes and hurdles. This is just one of many complex needs that my son has. So, I’m going to try and give something back to all the charities, companies and organisations that support these causes, starting with this one.”
Eliza has smashed her original target and set her sights on raising even more.
Carrying the legacy forward
From a grandson overcoming paralysis to a daughter walking miles for her miracle boy, this family proves what it truly means to be a Traveller. It is about fierce devotion to family, honouring those who came before us, and an unmatched inner grit.
Levi‑George and Eliza remind us all that no matter how steep the hill or how long the road, our people keep moving forward.
By Britannia Duffy
(Photographs courtesy of Britannia Duffy. Lead photograph caption: Levi-George (centre) with his friend Jimmy Burnside and his brother‑in‑law Paul‑Tyler)