❤️ Supporting Ciaran Hickson, Maria O’Neill & Their Two Boys ana Nala ❤️

Sometimes news comes that stops an entire family in their tracks and changes everything in an instant.

For our very good friends and neighbours, Ciaran Hickson and Maria O’Neill, that moment came when something doctors initially thought was a polyp turned out to be something none of them could ever have prepared themselves for — Stage 4 SNUC (Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma), a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

“With a recent scan showing even more scary findings that it has also spread to two lymph nodes in his neck”.

Ciaran is just 38 years old.

He is a partner, a friend, a neighbour, but above everything else, he is a devoted daddy to his two boys, Cadán, 8, and Conan, 5.

Those two wee boys are his whole world.

They are the reason he gets up every morning. They are the reason he is determined to fight this with absolutely everything he has.

His boys look at their daddy like he is Superman.

Because to them, he is. ❤️

And beside Ciaran through every moment is Maria, the love of his life — the one holding his hand through every appointment, every sleepless night and every terrifying conversation with consultants.

Right now, Ciaran is being cared for by specialist teams who are approaching his treatment with curative intent, which gives everyone so much hope.

But the road ahead is going to be incredibly tough.

There will be chemotherapy, radiotherapy, potential treatment overseas, major surgery and months of treatment, recovery and uncertainty.

Throughout all of this, Ciaran will be unable to work, and Maria will also be unable to work as she supports him through his treatment and cares for Cadán and Conan. Maria has an enormous amount to carry while trying to keep life as normal as possible for their boys as their family faces the unimaginable.

And while their whole world has changed, unfortunately the everyday pressures of life haven’t stopped.

There is still a mortgage to pay, household bills, two young children to provide for, travel and treatment-related expenses and all the additional costs that come with a serious illness.

The last thing Ciaran and Maria should have to worry about right now is money.

Ciaran’s focus needs to be on getting through each treatment, getting stronger and getting home to the two little boys waiting for their Superman.

That is why we are asking our friends, neighbours and wider community to come together and help take some of that pressure away.

No donation is too small. Whether it is £5, £10 or whatever you can afford, every single pound will help give this family some breathing space and allow them to concentrate on what really matters.

And if you can’t donate, please share Ciaran’s story. Every share, message and show of support matters.

Ciaran, you told us you’re going to fight — and we will be fighting right alongside you.

Every day.

Every treatment.

Every difficult moment.

Because that’s what families, friends and communities do!!!!

You have the best family, the most incredible partner holding your hand and the two best wee fans in the world cheering their daddy on.

And now you have your friends, neighbours and your whole local community standing behind you too.

We can make sure you know you are not walking this road alone.

So please, if you can, donate, share and help us rally around Ciaran, Maria, Cadán and Conan.

Keep up the fight, Ciaran.

Your boys are watching their Superman fight, Maria is right there holding your hand, and all of us are right behind you.

You’ve got this, Ciaran. ❤️