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Brian Magner from Castletownroche.

Just before Christmas, Brian Magner's world, as he knew it, was turned upside down after a serious bike accident, but now, thanks to the overwhelming support from his family and friends, his is currently undergoing rehabilitation and fundraisers to help cover the costs of his care are being organised in Castletownroche, where he is from.

Before the accident on the Ballyhoura Mountain Biking Trail in November 2014, the 37-year-old worked as a sheet metal worker in Matflo Engineering in Mallow and he had been cycling as a hobby for a number of years in his spare time.

Speaking to The Avondhu, Brian's good friends Harry O'Farrell and Brian Mellerick, explained that after the accident late last year, his friends and parents Louie and Willie from Rathnadarrahy, Castletownroche wanted to get involved and do something to help him while he's in the National Rehab Centre in Dun Laoghaire.

A committee has now been set up and a 'Cycle for Brian' will take place on Saturday, March 28 while Castletownroche GAA will hold a four-ball two day golf classic in Doneraile on May 8 and 9 (contact David Butler on 086-8158512 for more information) to raise funds, which will aid his recovery and rehabilitation. 

Brian's world was altered in a freak accident when he came off his bike in the Ballyhoura trails and he was moved by helicopter to CUH with a spinal injury.

While they didn't know how serious it was at the time, he suffered temporary paralysis and the formerly fit and active young man went from a busy and sociable life, to one that was restricted to the rehab centre in Dublin.

He was transferred from CUH to the Mater Hospital on the night of the accident and operated on immediately to relieve the pressure from a clot in his spine and while he has started to regain feeling and movement on his right side, he still has limited mobility and is quite weak on the left side. He is wheelchair bound at the moment, but is working relentlessly on getting back to full health.

"He's always been very upbeat and was always going to fight it and get back on his feet," Brian Mellerick said.

Brian has been coming home for the past few weekends, with friends bringing him up and down from Dublin and they have effectively moved his bedroom into the sitting room and made temporary adaptations to his home to make it easier for him to get around.

While the committee have never organised a cycle like the 'Cycle for Brian' before, they have taken part in a number of events like it and on the day, registration will take place in Castletownroche Community Centre between 9am and 10am, with three cycle options (a 20km, 55km and 85km route) all starting at 10.30am.

It costs €20 per person and the route will go from Castletownroche to Ballyhooly, Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Kildorrery, Doneraile, Newtwopothouse, Mallow and back into Castletownroche. There will be refreshments in Castletownroche Community Centre afterwards and also an ongoing family day while the cycle is happening which will add to the atmosphere in the village.

Brian will also be in Castletownroche himself on the day and his friends expect that he will be in rehab in Dun Laoghaire until the beginning of April before coming home to continue his recovery with physiotherapy locally.

In light of the interest in the fundraising cycle and the number of people out cycling as individuals in the Killavullen and Castletownroche areas, Fergal Hogan is also working on establishing a cycling club in the local area in the near future.

All support for both the cycle and golf classic would be greatly appreciated. Anyone who is abroad or unable to attend the events, but would like to support the cause, can make a donation to the following account; AIB Mallow, Account No: 27603028 - Sort code: 936146, for online transfers you will need BIC: AIBKIE2D and IBAN: IE37AIBK93614627603028.

For more information or to organise a fundraiser, please contact committee members Harry (086-1029935) or Brian (087-2390646).

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