I have decided to run the Edinburgh Marathon in May 2026, in honour of my wee brother Caolan who was killed in a road accident in December 2023. If you know me you know I don’t like running at all, but when we came across this charity The Road Ahead NI who supports families when they have lost a loved one through a road accident, I felt I wanted to take on a challenge to raise money for them. The training has started and it is tough!! But no doubt Caolan will be with me every mile, slagging me and pushing me along when the going gets tough. I am sure it will be painful, but nowhere near the pain of losing your wee brother, your best friend, someone who had their whole life ahead, cut short at 18. Absent from all our lives forever, absent from all our family celebrations, achievements and milestones.

The Road Ahead NI is a registered local charity dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and communities across Northern Ireland who road traffic collisions have impacted.

The Road Ahead NI’s mission is clear: to provide tailored, compassionate services to everyone affected by road collisions, including bereaved families and friends, survivors adjusting to life-changing injuries, witnesses, and first responders

I would greatly appreciate any donations for this wonderful local charity, who with more financial support, could help so many families to try and cope with the devastation that we are having to live with. Just to make the pain a little less, and keep the memories of Caolan and his huge personality alive and present in our lives going forward.