Fundraiser for Mullingar cyclist up to €120,000

An online fundraiser for a local cyclist who is recovering in hospital from a serious injury raised has reached €120,000, of a €200,000 target.

Mullingar's Stephen Corroon, a member of Lakeside Wheelers, fell from his bike while participating in the Orwell Wheelers Randonnée in the Dublin Mountains on the May bank holiday weekend.

The 41-year-old father of two suffered a severe spinal injury, leaving him with a permanent neurological deficit and without the use of his arms or legs.

After spending nine weeks in a specialist spinal injuries unit in the Mater Hospital, Mr Corroon is now in Tullamore Regional Hospital while he awaits transfer to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

While some progress has been made, his potential for recovery is currently unknown. His condition means he needs equipment, long-term help from occupational therapists, and home adaptations to manage his care. He is currently reliant on others for every aspect of his daily life, including self-care, feeding, and personal hygiene.

By Sunday afternoon, the fundraiser set up by Lakeside Wheelers had raised more than €120,000.

The club posted that it wanted people "to work together to try and make this journey just a little bit easier for Stephen and his family".

In a post on social media, Stephen's wife Aoibhín thanked the couple's friends, family and wider community for their support.

"The past few months have been filled with so much sadness and uncertainty. From taking that awful phone call that changed our home life forever to having to witness my husband, the rock of the house, at his most vulnerable.

"When Stephen left our house to participate in a charity cycle organised by the Orwell Wheelers - which he completed many times before - we never thought he would not come back.

“Since the accident, the children and I have been cocooned by an amazing group of friends and family to who we will be forever in their debt. From the guys on the rota that have travelled to see Stephen every day, the compassion and respect for Stephen’s privacy has been amazing. Their wives who have physically held me up to make sure I can keep the show on the road for our two children.

"They say it takes a village, but we very much feel the whole town is behind us. Our employers have also been amazing in supporting us at this most difficult time. They have really gone over and beyond with their flexibility and understanding, JJ Rhatigan and C&D Foods.

"Stephen has also been amazing and is fighting with all his might against the odds every single day to get back home to us, and for that, I am so proud of him.

"Stephen’s cycling club, Lakeside Wheelers, are behind this fundraiser. Anyone that knows a cyclist will be aware it’s not just a hobby but a way of life.

"I would like to thank them for arranging this, as the future is uncertain, Stephen will need considerable help, as we do not know the level of motor skills he will regain."