A Belfast boxer was given a hero's welcome after he returned home after a 10-month hospital stay.
Stephen McMullen sadly suffered a stroke following an Ulster Heavyweight Elite final bout in December 2021.
The sudden illness led to the 25-year-old spending five weeks in intensive care, followed by further recovery in the stroke ward.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Stephen's sister Claire said the family are delighted to have the boxer home, even if the road ahead is long.
She said: "I never lost my brother. That's the upside.
"It was an awful shock when it happened, numbness is the word. We're just happy he wasn't coming home in a box - he's in a wheelchair, but that's fine. We're just happy to have him here with us."
The family said a care package has not yet been put in place for Stephen, but they intend to fight to get him the care he needs.
Claire added: "He's not going in a care home. He's 25 - we're taking him home, and we're going to fight for a care package for him.
"We'll hopefully get him back on his feet with a lot of encouragement and support, physio and occupational therapy. He's happy and smiling, though, and we're so excited for him being home. It's a part of the journey that he needs to make.
"He's just happy that he can get to see his family and friends. He hasn't been able to when he was in the hospital."
Large crowds gathered outside Stephen's home on Thursday to welcome him back with open arms.
"Everybody has come out today, and it's just giving him a big boost, you know. He got engaged there in August, so he has his fiancée Aimee - he always planned to do it on their 10-year anniversary, so there's happiness from there.
"The love they have for each other is amazing - I have to give it to her. She stood by him. She really is a lovely girl, so let's hope for more happy memories now.
"We're just trying to make a fuss over him because he deserves it. He's been through a lot."
His former boxing coach at the Newington ABC Patsy Quinn gym, Tony McAllister, was among the well-wishers who turned out and said he went with Stephen to the hospital when he fell ill.
"I heard it at 8pm on the Friday night. I was actually texting him to see how he was," Tony said.
"Aimee came on and said, 'Tony, he's fell to the floor'. I was around here in 10 minutes because I live nearby, and they were putting him in an ambulance - it was a terrible shock."
He said the large turnout was a testament to the Stephen he knows, who he said is so well thought of.
"He's a superb fella," he said.
"He was not only a boxer in the gym, he was a coach and the child protection officer. He done everything, done the sessions with the kids, and so well liked, just a lovely person.
"If the schools weren't back, there'd be even more people here today. He's just an unbelievable person. It's going to be a long road, but it's a good thing that he's with his family because they just love him to bits."
If you would like to donate to Stephen's fundraising page, you can do so here .
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