Ciaran Kelly coming home
OVER €68,000 RAISED AFTER FAMILY APPEAL TO HELP GET BRAY MAN HOME FROM CANADA
A BRAY family has raised enough money to bring critically ill Ciaran Kelly home by air ambulance.
Ciaran (32) suffered a cardiac arrest on St Patrick’s Day and has been in hospital in Canada ever since, amassing bills of $15,000 per day.
His family made an appeal for help, and at the time of going to press, the gofundme page had raised almost €69,000.
The Martello is hosting a coffee morning and cake sale this Sunday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to raise money for the fund.
In an update, the family said that while they have achieved almost enough to fly him home, Ciaran must be assessed to see when he will be able to make the trip from Canada to Ireland.
He has been moved from ICU and is breathing unaided, however the Bray man suffered a stroke along with the heart attack. The family members are overwhelmed by the outpouring of financial and moral support from friends and strangers alike.
CRITICALLY ill Bray man Ciaran Kelly will be flown home from Canada as soon as possible, following a massive outpouring of support for him and his family.
Ciaran (32) suffered a cardiac arrest in Vancouver on St Patrick’s Day, March 17. His family rushed to Canada to be with him. They learned that Ciaran was critically ill on life support with severe brain damage.
The cost of his medical care in Canada is in the region of $15,000 per day.
‘ The stress and worry of what is actually happening is unbearable for us and feels so terribly cruel,’ his family wrote on their gofundme page. ‘Currently we have no status in Canada and we will be left with no other option but to return to Ireland.’
Their story touched the hearts of the people of Bray and beyond, who have to date donated more than €68,000 of their €100,000 target on the online fundraising page.
In a later update on Gofundme.ie, the family thanked everyone for their generosity, an the kind words of support that helped them through the darkest days the family has experienced.
‘At the time of writing we have achieved almost sufficient funds to organise an air ambulance to take Ciaran home,’ they said. ‘Ciaran needs to be assessed as to see when he is capable of making the trip from Canada to Ireland.
‘As I write this Ciaran has been moved from ICU and is breathing unaided. Unfortunately it has come to light that he has suffered a stroke along with the heart attack and the level of brain damage sustained is not possible to determine at this time.’
The Kelly family said that they are humbled by the ‘staggering’ level of support they have received.
Ciaran’s three sisters are returning home to Ireland this week, to coordinate his return, while his parents are staying on to oversee things from Canada.
‘Ciaran’s recovery will be a marathon for him and the family but the relief of being able to do this in Ireland together, and with the support of family and friends is immeasurable.’
‘Word cannot describe the kindness and support we have received from our family and friends around the world,’ Ciaran’s sister Emma wrote on Facebook at the weekend. She also said that people they don’t even know have been exceptionally generous. ‘We are so overwhelmed and thankful for all your donations and good wishes. It has by far exceeded our expectations and we as a family have taken great strength from this at this devastating time.’
The Martello is holding a coffee morning this Sunday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All money raised will be donated to Ciaran’s fund. If you wish to donate cakes or other treats, bring them to the Martello from 9 a.m. on Sunday.