Hi, I’m Lisa and I met Alan last year when myself and Mark moved to Mayo - we’ve been following Alan’s Instagram account for years due to his wonderful posts showcasing the incredible hiking all around Mayo. When we moved we discovered we were only up the road from Alan and Alan was our first friend we made locally.

Alan Milliken lives in Straide, County Mayo, is one of life’s good souls — always smiling, always helping others. He’s a keen hiker, a devoted dog dad to his beautiful dog Sansa, and happiest when he’s out in his garden looking after his lupins or lending a hand to friends and neighbours.

Earlier this year, Alan began experiencing some back discomfort but was still able to work and go about his usual active life. However, an unfortunate accident in which a chair broke beneath him caused a significant worsening of his injuries, leaving him in constant pain and unable to work since May.

Since then, Alan’s life has been turned upside down. He’s been paying privately for everything — doctor and consultant appointments, chiropractors, physiotherapy, medication, and an MRI scan. The MRI of his neck showed multiple disc bulges and herniations pressing on his spinal cord, explaining his constant pain, weakness, and limited movement. However, they didn’t scan his lower back, where much of his pain began, so further scans are urgently needed.

Alan is currently living on illness benefit of €240 a week, with €100 going straight to essential bills. He’s applied for an emergency medical card, but it hasn’t come through yet — meaning every appointment, scan, and prescription has been out of his own pocket.

Despite everything, Alan remains positive and kind, and continues to share snippets of his life and encouragement with his 30,000 Instagram followers, many of whom know his generous nature and infectious spirit.

We’re raising €5,000 to help Alan cover:

• Further MRI scans (lumbar and full spine)

• Osteopath, physiotherapy, and specialist appointments

• Medication and pain management

• Potential surgery and recovery costs

• Basic living expenses while he’s unable to work

Alan has spent his life helping others — now it’s our turn to help him. Every euro, every share, every kind word will help get him one step closer to being pain-free and back to the life he loves — hiking with Sansa and tending to his beloved lupins.

Please consider donating or sharing this campaign.

Together, we can help Alan heal.