Rickie Healy appeal tops €66k as public urged to keep on donating

MEMBERS of the public have been urged to lend their support to the appeal to help cover the cost of ongoing treatment for the Ballyclough man who sustained “catastrophic” injuries in an accident while on holidays.

Rickie Healy from Crossfield, Ballyclough, was on holiday with friends on the Spanish island of Ibiza when the accident happened in July after the 27-yearold dived into the swimming pool at their holiday resort.

Unknown to Rickie, a strong swimmer and all-round sportsman, he dived into the shallow end and struck his head and neck on the bottom of the pool. Such were his injuries,

Rickie was immediately airlifted to the nearby island of Majorca where he was operated on and remained in intensive care for a number of days before being given the all clear to fly back to Ireland.

Since then Rickie has been receiving treatment for his injuries at the Mater Hospital in Dublin while waiting to be transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dún Laoghaire.

His brother Tadgh has praised the doctors and nurses at the Mater for the “excellent” care and attention Rickie has received during his time at the hospital.

He also thanked the local community and people from all across Ireland who have supported the Healy family since the accident.

“The support that Rickie has received has been truly amazing. It has kept him strong and even more determined than ever as he looks ahead to staring rehabilitation in Dún Laoghaire, which we hope will be in the next couple of weeks,” said Tadgh.

In addition to the messages of support, people also donated generously to the Rickey Healy Appeal Fund, an online Go Fund Me account set up with the goal of raising €150,000 to cover the cost of Rickie’s ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Since it was established almost 850 donations totalling more than €66,000 have been made to the account over the past month.

Appeal spokesperson Elizabeth Ahern said the Healy family and the trustees of the charitable trust had been “blown away” by the support shown by people during “this very difficult time”.

“We ask that people keep Rickie in their thoughts and prayers and also lend their support to the many fundraising events planned over the coming weeks and months,” said Elizabeth.

The next of these, a table quiz organised by the local GAA club , will take place on Friday in Ballyclough with organisers hosting the event simultaneously at two local pubs due to the large volume of people expected to take part.

The quiz will be open to teams of four at €80 per table. To register a team for the quiz contact Sinead on 086 100 2176.

To donate to the Rickie Healy Appeal Fund follow the link at www.gofundme.com.