Cycle for Shane( London to Achill)

Cycling from London to Achill ( August 20th-27th) to raise funds for SUDEP Action and Epilepsy Ireland in memory of Shane Corrigan.

 

 

Shane Corrigan was just 23 when he died suddenly and unexpectedly from SUDEP(Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) in January 2018. He is buried on Achill Island, Co. Mayo. This is the destination for Shane’s memorial cycle ride on August 27th 2022. Shane was born in Castlebar, County Mayo in 1994. Shortly after Shane was born, his family relocated to Saudi Arabia, before returning to Castlebar in 1999. In 2001 Shane moved to Buckinghamshire, UK with his mum Margaret/Peggy, his dad Kevin and his little sister Megan.

 

The bike ride consists of 21 amazing people, many of whom have not cycled since they were children including Shane's mum who all want to do something amazing in Shane's memory.
The starting point is Harewood Downs golf club (UK), where a tree has been planted in his memory.  Harewood Downs was a place  Shane spent many  hour's  practising his swing and working in the club house. It will  finish in Achill, where Shane is buried. Since Shane died in January 2018 his parents Margaret/Peggy and Kevin make the journey to Achill every month to visit Shane's grave.

 

Shane is remembered for his larger than life, determined personality. He had a wonderful smile and you could pick out his infectious laugh from across a room. Shane was popular, unfailingly positive and he had the ability of bringing people together. Shane placed value on friendship, honesty and integrity. For Shane, it didn’t matter who you were, he wanted to involve you in his conversations, debates and because of this, you always felt better for having been in his company.

 

Shane had his first seizure when he was in his second year at Southampton University. He was just 20 when he was diagnosed with epilepsy. With the support from his family and friends Shane learnt to cope with the diagnosis and the adjustments he needed to make to his way of life. He could no longer drive, he had to be careful to get enough sleep and he needed to be wary about how much he drank on nights out with friends. Despite this, through his strength of character, Shane continued with his happy-go-lucky attitude describing his condition as an inconvenience and nothing more. Shane went on to complete his degree at Southampton University and subsequently he achieved a master’s degree from Oxford Brookes University.

 

Shane would say that one of the hardest things about living with epilepsy was telling people he had it: “I can see peoples’ perception of me change. It’s as if they are scared of me, or the possibility that I will have a seizure when I am with them.”

 

Shane, due to his kind nature and caring ways, had a brilliant and supportive group of friends. They have helped his family with their kind words and fond memories through the past four years. Many people wrote to the family describing Shane as an exceptional young man, “A light so bright that it touched our souls”.

 

Like many of Shane’s friends who have undertaken physical challenges (which Shane would have observed from his beloved sofa) to raise awareness of Epilepsy and the risk of SUDEP the team of cyclist are going for the ultimate challenge in his memory cycling from Harewood Downs golf club, Buckinghamshire UK on August 20th 2022 arriving in Achill Island, Co Mayo, Ireland on August 27th 2022.

 

Shane’s family are heartbroken by his death, but are determined to bring change for those living with Epilepsy by raising awareness and educating the public of the risks that come with this life-changing condition.

 

 

Thank you for all your support, it is greatly appreciated.

Instagram:@cycle_for_shane