A family in Co Down have thanked their wider community for their support in a fundraising effort they have to bring their son, brother and nephew home.
Cian Milligan, from Castlewellan, was left with life-changing injuries after the car he was travelling to school in was involved in a crash with a bus.
It happened on the outskirts of Downpatrick, as the young man was on route to St Patrick's Grammar School.
Read more: 'Help us get our boy home': Family's appeal to help son after horror crash
He was airlifted to hospital with severe and life changing injuries including a traumatic brain injury, shattered pelvis, fractured skull, laceration of the spleen, broken ribs and a facial injury requiring emergency plastic surgery.
That day, on October 16, 2020, doctors advised that Cian was the sickest patient in the Royal Hospital and that his injuries could be fatal.
Cian is now wheelchair bound, tube fed, has a tracheotomy, is currently non verbal and suffers from severe dystonia, a movement disorder which causes his muscles to painfully contract and spasm.
In just three weeks of setting up a fundraiser to help his family pay for adaptations to his Cian's family home, over £100,000 has been raised.
The family said: "We set this page up three weeks ago and increased our target within the first few days after such an overwhelming response. And now, once again, we have been advised to increase our target as we have so many wonderful events due to take place over the upcoming weeks and months.
"It has been a crazy few weeks, challenging but so enjoyable and we have been lucky enough to attend some of the fabulous events such as the 'Climb for Cian' up Doan, the 'Coffee for Cian' morning at Red High in Downpatrick, the fun run by some of the pupils from Buncscoil Bheanna Boirche and the sunrise sea dip at Murlough Beach.
"The atmosphere at every fundraiser has been amazing and Cian has been able to come along to a few events as well which has been incredible. It has been tiring for him but there have been so many smiles too.
"All of Cian's family, especially his brothers have enjoyed catching up with everyone where possible.
"Our hearts are filled with gratitude and this generosity will have a huge impact on Cian's future.
"The adaptations to the family home are really taking shape and we think we have found a suitable accommodation to move to in June to ensure that we remain in Castlewellan until the adaptations to Cian's home are complete.
"Yet again., so many helped to make this possible."
To donate to Cian's fundraiser, please follow this link and to follow his journey on social media visit this link.
Read more: NI child's 'dream comes true' after surviving traumatic bike accident
Read more: NI schoolgirl defies the odds after accident left her family praying for miracle
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
