A fundraising appeal for a 14-year-old cyclist left with life-changing injuries after a crash at the National Downhill Championships last year has raised over €200,000.
While those raising the money for Cork teenager Oisín O’Connor, who suffered spinal injuries, had initially sought to raise €175,000, the cost of his care was always going to be much higher. A figure of about €250,000 was required.
However, as the fundraising campaign has gone so well, the O’Connors and their loved ones and supporters are now close to the €250,000 amount, as just under €213,000 has been raised so far.
The fundraising effort is being conducted through GoFundMe and you can make a donation by following this link.
While Oisín has shown great resilience through a very difficult ordeal, his needs will be complex. That means every cent donated to the fund will be used to help him on an ongoing basis.
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A fundraising committee has been established to help him and they have outlined some of the details of his crash last September, which occurred at the National Downhill Championships in Co Wicklow. From Kealkill in West Cork, Oisín suffered spinal injuries and now uses a wheelchair.
“Oisín is totally sports mad,” said Rory Doody, secretary of the fundraising committee. “He played GAA with St Colums, a skillful player who also excelled on the rugby field with Bantry Bay RFC and on the basketball court with Coláiste Phobail Bheanntraí. Being the youngest of five boys has given Oisín a competitive nature and the will to succeed.
“Oisín
spent five months in Crumlin Children’s Hospital with
both parents Marie and Wesley at his bedside. Oisín has now progressed to the
care of Dun Laoghaire National Rehabilitation Hospital. The next stage will be
to get Oisín home permanently.
“There is an immediate requirement for substantial building work to
be carried out. The family home needs to be extended and modified to support
Oisín’s long term recovery. Funds are also needed for ongoing rehabilitation
and equipment costs to ensure a full and independent life. All gratefully
received support will go towards giving Oisin the best fighting chance for optimising his recovery.”
“While there have been exceptionally difficult days, Oisín has continued to smile through the pain, work through the discomfort and adjust to his new circumstances, all the while his eyes shine bright with hope and determination.”
You can have a look at the GoFundMe appeal and donate by following this link.
