The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Funds raised to bring ill Tralee man back home
A TRALEE man who is seriously ill in Canada after collapsing at his home in Calgary on February 12 has this past week been the subject of a huge online fundraising campaign, with over $11,200 so far raised to help bring him home to Ireland so that he can receive further treatment.
Niall Hurley, who had been working on a number of residential sites carpenter in Calgary for the past two years, was due to return to Ireland on February 16 as his visa was due to expire; four days before his departure date, however, Niall blacked out at his home and was rushed to the Foothills Medical Center where he was diagnosed with an Ependymoma brain tumour.
Niall was operated on by doctors in the centre for over 10 hours and it is believed that it could take up to two years for him to make a full recovery.
“We cannot say enough good things about the people here in the hospital and the people that started to help Niall by visiting, sending cards and prayers and texting our family non stop,” said Niall’s brother Ian, talking to The Kerryman.
“The Irish community here are amazing in the way they come together as a team when times call for it. It means so much especially when people are away from home.”
Niall will require treatment for the foreseeable future with all the funds raised from the online campaign going towards bring him back to Ireland, a journey for which he will accompanied by a doctor and a nurse.
People can donate at www. gofundme.com/irish-cultural-society-calgary.