The family and friends of Ciara McElvanna – who tragically lost her life in November 2023 as the result of a road traffic accident – are preparing to run the Belfast City Marathon.
And they will do so to express their “eternal gratitude” by raising funds for the Regional Intensive Care Unit (RICU) in Belfast which cared for Ciara in her final days.
The much-loved Madden mother-of-four had been described as an “exemplary nurse” whose “last act of nursing will ensure that many more lives will be forever transformed”.
Related: Heartbreaking tributes to devoted mum and exemplary nurse as Ciara McElvanna is laid to rest
Ciara’s sister, Cailin – who set up a JustGiving page to collate funds – said: “We are taking part in the Belfast Marathon in loving memory of our beautiful sister and dear friend, Ciara McElvanna.
“Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to RICU, as a small token of our eternal gratitude for the love, care, and dignity they provided to Ciara during her final days.
“As her family and friends, we would also like to express our own appreciation to the ICU staff for the time we were given to say goodbye. We will forever cherish the time we had to talk, cry and reminisce together at her bedside.
“The empathy and attentiveness of the ICU nurses ensured words of comfort and an overnight chair/bed was readily available.
“Your support will help to enhance patient and family facilities within the unit and provide some comfort and respite to families faced with the unimaginable.”
The fundraiser has already raised over £17,000 at the time of writing – a testament to how deeply Ciara is missed by all those who knew and loved her.
The funds raised will help the RICU continue to treat over 2,000 seriously ill patients each year from all over Northern Ireland and further afield.
REVIVE – the charity supporting the work of the RICU – is described as playing a ‘pivotal role in providing additional equipment and services for patients, additional comfort and support for families and relatives, and additional training and support for staff’.
You can make a donation to the REVIVE fundraiser in memory of Ciara here.
