Family and friends of tragic nurse to run Belfast Marathon for intensive care unit which cared for her

Ciara McElvanna, a mother of four from Madden, died in hospital following a crash near Markethill last November.

Some of Ciara’s friends and family are running the Belfast Marathon to raise funds for the Regional Intensive Care Unit (RICU) in Belfast which cared for Ciara in her final days.

“We really just wanted to do something that we know would have put a smile on Ciara’s face and she was a very caring person so this felt like the perfect solution,” Ciara’s sister Cailin Haddock said.

Cailin said running the marathon was initially her sister’s idea and many of Ciara’s colleagues at Craigavon Area Hospital have now decided to join the family in running the marathon.

“A few of her friends, who are nurses, wanted to get involved too, so they are doing it as well and I really think that is testament to what Ciara has left behind,” Cailin said.

Cailin admits she is slightly nervous about the race but hopes Ciara’s friends and family can honour her.

“I have a sister who is a sports fanatic so this is really her forte, the rest of us are really just amateurs — we have only really got into running to prepare for the marathon but it’s all part of the craic, I’m sure it will go well,” she said.

Cailin said the family decided to raise funds for the RICU to express their gratitude for the care they provided Ciara in her final days.

“As a family, we will forever be grateful to the RICU — the care they gave Ciara was second to none and the support they offered us was nothing short of phenomenal — they were with us on the hardest days of our lives and they really did absolutely everything they could for us,” Cailin said.

The family have set up a JustGiving page to raise funds.

The fundraiser has already raised almost double its initial target of £10,000 but Cailin is still encouraging anyone who can to donate.

“The RICU just provides such a vital service to their patients and their loved ones.

“They help families through their greatest struggles and we really just to help them continue to provide that service for people and build on the wrap-around support they already offer in such hard times,” Cailin said.

She feels Ciara would want the family to fundraise for the RICU.

“The level of care within the RICU is nothing short of outstanding and the dignity they offer a person is amazing.

“Ciara was such a genuinely caring and good person so it is something she would definitely want to fundraise for. We just want to help make sure the RICU can continue to provide the amazing care they offered Ciara and our family,” Cailin added.

You can donate to the JustGiving fundraiser here — and by searching Cailin Haddock on JustGiving.