THE brother of a 33-year-old man who took his own life is to take on a gruelling challenge in his memory by running 33 miles every week for 33 weeks.
North Belfast man Michael Cullen went missing in January 2018.
A research officer at Ulster University and an award-winning beat-boxer, he had last been seen on January 9.
His family and friends as well as large crowds of volunteers joined professional teams in the search effort, which initially focused on the Cave Hill area.
The Cullen family also distributed flyers in the Lisburn Road and Boucher Road areas after a signal was picked up from Michael’s phone on the day of his disappearance.
The campaign was widely shared on social media and former world champion boxer Carl Frampton showed his support by posing with a ‘#HelpFindMichaelCullen’ T-shirt during a press conference for an upcoming fight.
Michael's remains were recovered from Cave Hill mountain at the end of January 2018.
Five years on, his younger brother, Colm Cullen has taken up a gruelling challenge in his memory.
The 26-year-old has pledged to run or walk 33 miles every week for 33 weeks, followed by 33 minutes in a Cryospa, to raise money for Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues (TAMHI).
The retail assistant began the challenge on Monday, taking on the area of Cave Hill both on Monday and Tuesday. Yesterday, he completed his five miles on a treadmill at his local gym.
Speaking to The Irish News, Colm said he wanted to raise funds for TAMHI so he could repay them for the support they offered him in the aftermath of his brother's death.
"It still feels very raw but it is something that you will never get over but you learn to live with it," he said.
"He was the person who would brighten up the room. He was the life of a party. It was a shock.
"It's just with seeing the statistics. We want him to be known as Michael Cullen, not a number."
He said he was "just pushing myself because it is the hardest month for the family".
"It is easy to sit back but I want to take on a challenge and because it is for charity," he said.
"TAMHI were there for me when I was going through not the best of period because it was after Michael, they helped me through.
"Also, because of the work that they are doing in the community and the work in schools in north Belfast
"It is ok to talk and it is ok to not be ok and the help is out there".
**Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/colm-cullen1
