Hi, my name is Philip and I’m a close friend of Mark Hurley’s who many of you may already know. If you do know Mark, you know how kind, funny, and quietly strong he is but what many people don’t see is the constant battle he has been fighting behind the scenes.

For years, Mark has been living with occipital neuralgia, a severe and debilitating nerve condition that causes relentless head and neck pain. It’s not “just a headache.” It affects his sleep, his energy, his ability to work, and even the simplest moments with his family. Every day has been about pushing through pain while still trying to show up as a husband to Niamh and a dad to their two beautiful young children, aged eight and four.

Mark has done everything asked of him, like appointments, treatments, medications, and learning how to manage life around pain that never fully goes away. But managing is not the same as living, and right now, this condition is taking more from him than it gives back.

Recently, a specialist surgical option has become available that could genuinely change his quality of life and offer real hope for relief. The surgery is called Occipital Nerve Decompression Surgery.

The challenge is that this surgery isn’t available in Ireland. Mark must travel to Spain to access it, and the cost of the procedure, travel, and recovery is approximately €10,000, an overwhelming amount for any young family, especially one already navigating the emotional and financial strain of chronic illness.

We are asking for your support to help give Mark a chance at something so simple yet so powerful, a life with less pain, more freedom, and more moments fully present with the people he loves most.

Whether you can donate, share, or simply send support, it all matters more than you know. Thank you for helping us lift some of the weight from Mark and his family and for being part of giving him hope for a brighter, healthier future.