By Lisa Ramsden
A YOUNG Castlewellan man, whose family were told to prepare for the worst after he was involved in a horrific crash, has raised thousands of pounds for charity by taking part in the Belfast City Marathon at the weekend.
Twenty-year-old Cian Milligan and his siblings Shay (18) and Ryan (23) are well on their way to reaching their fundraising target for the work of the Mae Murray Foundation. The charity has been supporting Cian after the accident, which left him with a traumatic brain injury.
On Sunday, the Milligan trio crossed the finish line together on an emotionally charged day for the local man and his army of supporters. Cian was just 14 when he sustained a traumatic brain injury, a fractured skull, and other critical injuries, including a ruptured spleen. Within hours of being airlifted to hospital, doctors had warned his parents his injuries could be fatal.
However, reflecting Cian’s true grit, resolve, and fighting spirit, and after recovering in hospital both locally and in England, he was able to return home 14 long months later. Fast forward to 2026, and the family and friends are supporting the charity, which they explain has played an “instrumental” role as Cian recovered from, and now lives with, the injuries sustained, as well as learning to adapt to a new way of living.
Speaking after completing the fundraiser, Cian’s elder brother, Ryan, said the community’s backing “has been phenomenal.” He continued: “The community has been nothing but good to us, and this was our chance at giving something back.”
Adding that Cian was his biggest motivator, Ryan said, “It was an incredible experience to cross the finish line with the person who inspires me and drives me forward every single day.”
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Sunday’s 26.2 miles run. Included with Cian are, from left,
Ciaran McCaughley, Shay and Ryan Milligan, and Rory Walsh.
