IRELAND/UK. An appeal has been launched to support a young Irishman, Stuart Mangan, who was paralysed from the neck down by a rugby injury on 5 April this year. And, following a chance meeting between Stuart’s brother (and L’Oréal UK Luxury Fragrance Division Deputy General Manager) John Mangan and Autogrill UK Retail CEO Mark Riches, the travel retail community is being asked to help.
John Mangan is a well-known figure in the travel retail industry through his time spent in the channel (as Travel Retail Area Manager, UK and Ireland for Lanc̫me Рand playing in the annual Cannes rugby match between the French and the rest of the world.
Stuart Mangan is 24 years of age. His injury, suffered in a club rugby game in London, is the most catastrophic rugby injury seen in recent years. Categorised as C1 Complete, he is completely paralyzed from the neck down and unable to breathe without a ventilator. Stuart will require 24-hour medical care for the rest of his life. Tragically, medical experts have described his spinal injury as the worst to occur in sport.
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Stuart was a talented sportsman with an exciting career ahead in banking | |
Stuart’s life and that of his parents and brothers changed utterly on that fateful April day. Physically, he is now dependent for his every basic need, in sharp contrast to how he lived his life before the accident. A talented sportsman with an exciting career ahead in banking, Stuart loved to travel and speaks five languages. He spent some time in the travel retail channel as an intern for L’Oréal Produits de Luxe International in Paris.
 Helping a brave son of Ireland |
| What struck me, besides the desperate poignancy of the situation, was the courage of the Mangan family, the humanity that emerges in such situations (John told me life-affirming stories about the way people are stepping in to help) and the determination of Stuart to live a meaningful and positive life |
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In coming to terms with his horrific injury, Stuart has managed to show incredible courage. He is determined to deal positively with his drastically altered circumstances.
But here’s the bottom line: Stuart’s care will cost millions and his future is in the hands of others. A fundraising campaign – the Stuart Mangan Appeal – has been launched and each contribution, no matter the size, will help enormously in ensuring Stuart enjoys the best possible quality of life.
A chance meeting with John Mangan at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 1 recently led Mark Riches to explore ways that the travel retail industry could help. “John is a part of the greater travel retail family so it would be nice to do whatever we can,” he said.
Mark Riches told us that World Duty Free will be helping the fund and The Moodie Report last week made a significant donation. If you wish to support the effort your generosity is needed badly. Details of how to donate are listed below. John Mangan can be contacted at jmangan@uk.loreal.com
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Stuart was a young man with the world at his feet; his life and that of his parents and brothers changed utterly on 5 April. All donations will help maximise his quality of life. | |
HOW YOU CAN HELP
For details on Stuart and his fund please visit www.StuartMangan.org
Each contribution, no matter the size, will help enormously in ensuring Stuart enjoys the best possible quality of life.
In this context, an Irish trust fund* has been established with the responsibility of managing Stuart’s needs in terms of housing, living, equipment and medical care.
If you would like to help or support the appeal in any way, please contact a member of Stuart’s family or Niamh Sheeran, Fundraising Coordinator, on the number or address below.
For financial contributions, you can transfer any donation via internet banking (please let the fund know if you use this method so that they can follow up with you) or by sending a cheque to the address below:
Bank Details:
A/C Name: Stuart Mangan Trust
A/C No: 17569101
Sort Code: 93-60-81
Address: AIB Bank, Pearse Square, Fermoy, Co. Cork
IBAN: IE63AIBK93608117569101
Swift Code: AIBKIE2D
FOR CHEQUES:
Stuart Mangan Trust
23 Avoca Avenue
Blackrock
Co. Dublin
CONTACT DETAILS:
Niamh Sheeran
Fundraising Co-ordinator
niamhsheeran@eircom.net
Tel: +353 87 2311384
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