Swatragh man's 50th birthday fundraiser raises more than £17,000 for local charities

A Swatragh man has helped to raise more than £17,000 for two local charities.

Kieran McGuigan organised a Red Run – a family 5K run/ walk and big breakfast – which took place in Michael Davitt's GAC on June 2.

Kieran wanted to host the event as part of his 50^th birthday celebrations in aid of Carntogher Community First Responders and Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke.

Both charities offered support to Kieran after he suffered a cardiac arrest back in July 2018.

The then 43 year-old had spent a morning biking in Garvagh Forest and had lunch with his family in Friel's Restaurant before suffering a cardiac arrest at home later that afternoon.

Kieran's quick-thinking teenage daughter Caitlin, who was 16 at the time, raised the alarm and placed her father on his back before her mum Tracey and uncle Terry frantically attempted to perform CPR.

Slaughtneil man and first responder Darren Mulholland, who was in nearby Maghera at the time, dashed to the McGuigan family home with a defibrillator which he used to shock Kieran three times before paramedics took over.

Kieran, who doctors believe was dead for 22 minutes, was rushed to Causeway Hospital where he spent three days on a ventilator.

After a seven week stay in hospital and undergoing an operation to have a defibrillator fitted, Kieran was allowed to return home.

Despite carrying out tests, doctors were unable to find the cause of the cardiac arrest however it was only when genetic testing was undertaken that they discovered a 'faulty gene'.

It was later discovered that Kieran's daughters Caitlin and Emma-Rose and his brother Terry also carry the gene.

Following his cardiac arrest, Kieran said the defibrillator had ultimately saved his life that day.

Back in 2021, Kieran raised £5,500 through a fundraising walk – money which was used to purchase three defibrillators for use in the community.

Kieran, who along with his brother Terry runs McGuigan's Garage in Swatragh, a business which was founded by their late father Tommy in 1953, said he wanted to raise funds for the charities through the Red Run.

The final total raised was £17,085.14 – this was split evenly between Carntogher Community First Responders and NI Chest Heart and Stroke with the charities receiving £8,542.57 each.

ABOVE: Kieran McGuigan and his daughters Caitlin and Emma-Rose present a cheque to a representative from NICHS.

Car salesman Kieran paid tribute to all those who supported the event by taking part and also those who made donations.

He also thanked Michael Davitt's GAC, Swatragh for the use of its premises and those who supplied food for the event – P&N Quality Meats, Swatragh Mace Filling Station and Post Office Local, Glenshane Eggs and Bertie's Bakery.