Appeal for girl (13) who lost both legs after farm accident soars past €300,000
She was rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where doctors fought to save her. Ultimately, the Beara girl had to have both of her legs amputated.
Special vigils were held across west Cork as people prayed for the recovery of the little girl as she remained in a critical condition.
Féile has defied the odds and is now recovering thanks to the skill of doctors in Cork and Dublin. She is currently being treated in a specialist unit at a Dublin hospital – but is already determined to return to her Beara home.
Her west Cork community launched a fundraiser to assist her and her family – and the reaction has stunned everyone involved.
In just over a week, the appeal has raised €301,000 – with over €100,000 being donated in the first 48 hours alone.
The fundraising campaign is supported by Garnish GAA, Allihies Hall, Allihies Men's Shed, Beara United and Beara LGFA. Appeal organisers said the community was determined to do something to assist the well-respected family after the shocking accident.
Anyone lucky enough to know Féile will tell you how full of life, energy, fun, kindness and what a pure messer she is
'Just before her 13th birthday, our amazing Féile was in a serious farm accident, changing her life in ways no child should ever have to face,' an appeal organiser explained.
'She is currently hospitalised in critical condition, showing great strength and bravery. Our beautiful Féile has been involved in a life-changing farm accident, leaving her in critical condition in hospital. In a moment, her world was turned upside down – she suffered severe lower abdomen injuries and underwent a double leg amputation.
'Anyone lucky enough to know Féile will tell you how full of life, energy, fun, kindness and what a pure messer she is.
|'She adores dogs and horses. Farming is in her blood, and she loves everything about nature, outdoors and staying active. She's also a true sports star – whether football, soccer, gymnastics, or anything involving movement and fun, Féile is always giving it her all, with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes. This accident hasn't changed who she is, but has just changed what she now needs.'
The community wants to help her family with future medical costs, rehabilitation and home adaptations.
'The journey ahead will be long and challenging. Féile has had extensive surgeries and battled hard to still be with us. She will face many more surgeries to help her,' the organiser added.
The appeal is now at 60pc of the €500,000 target.
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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
€500,000 raised to help West Cork girl following farming accident
Féile O'Sullivan, the young West Cork girl who had a devastating accident on a farm last month, is now speaking, eating, and re-learning skills like writing as her treatment continues. The sports-mad 13-year-old girl had another operation on Thursday at Crumlin Hospital after needing a double amputation following the tragic incident in early July. Donations to help the family reached more than €508,000 by Friday, from Cork, across Ireland, and as far as Montana in the US. An adapted car has also been arranged for the family through the All-Ireland GAA Golf Classic charity. Cormac McMahon, who is secretary of Garnish GAA club, of which Féile and her mother Maureen are members, said the club are in regular contact with the family. He said: 'The last update I had was she was doing well, all things considered. 'She is now speaking and eating, and even had some friends in to visit, which is nice. She understand what's happened to her, and accepts what happened to her, but she is being really positive about it.' Mr McMahon explained her long-term goal is to get back into school by the end of the school year. It's going to be a tough road for her. She had another major surgery on Thursday "She's not got full sensation back into her hands yet, so she's starting to re-learn how to write her name. It's known she had one leg completely amputated and the other leg partially amputated, and there were other injuries as well.' She was treated locally by first responders on the day of the accident six weeks ago, and flown by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital. One week later, she was transferred to Dublin. Community support Earlier this week, Féile spoke by video to her friends taking part in the summer Cúl Camp with the club, an emotional milestone for her and them. This club is one of many sports and community groups in Allihies who came together to fundraise under the banner of Stand 4 Féile. The young girl and her mother were active in GAA, soccer, rugby, horse riding, and more. The fact her accident happened on a farm has brought support from many agricultural organisations, such as Macra na Feirme, which understands the daily risks farmers face. Bantry Blues player and teacher Sean O' Leary has taught Féile. 'I can't speak highly enough of her,' he said. 'She's a very positive young woman and we wish her all the best.' He is one of many GAA players posting videos online calling on people to support the child and her family, including former Cork stars Valerie Mulcahy and Áine Terry O' Sullivan. Mr McMahon said: 'It's been a nice boost to see this for Feile as well and her mum. They're up in Crumlin looking at this online, and seeing all the goodwill messages.' Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said the family are now also linked into the All-Ireland GAA Golf Classic charity. This important link will see a modified Ford Transit Connect with wheelchair accessibility sponsored by the charity. 'It's a great boost to Féile's family,' he said, adding: 'The value of the vehicle is around €70,000 and can be upgraded every few years at minimum cost.' The golf charity's next team event takes place in October in Killarney. It is just one of the many ways campaigners can help in the coming years. Medical expenses Mr McMahon said: 'The money will be put into trust for Féile in some form." It will cover medical expenses, work on their house, and supporting Maureen, a teacher, in caring for Feile. Helping hands have reached out from as far away as Butte, Montana, donating a beautiful hand-made quilt for raffle by Allihies Men's Shed. Butte and Allihies share a long history following emigration of copper miners from West Cork in the late 1800s. Quilt-maker Claire Thornburgh said: 'Who could be unmoved by Féile's story, particularly when our cousins and friends in her community are hurting for her as well?' She described the beautiful design as 'my tribute to Butte, Montana's Irish heritage". On August 24, vintage farming equipment not seen in the region for at least 60 years will tackle a field of oats for the fundraising campaign. The crop has been donated by the farmer and will be auctioned at Kenmare Mart in Kerry. Meanwhile, the list of fundraising sporting events grows by the day. On Monday, Cork City soccer club will donate all proceeds from their Corky Camp for children in Castletownbere. Beara United urged families to sign up, saying: 'Fair play to Cork City FC doing their bit to help out our Fèile.' Young footballers at Rosscarbery Ladies Football Club raised €993 with a tuck shop during the U12 Munster Club clubs have run cake sales and raffles with a growing stream of supportive videos online. The next few weeks will see a walk organised by Beara Athletic Club and the Eyeries Family Festival, a 12-hour sea swim relay, and a cycle from Dublin to Allihies. Donations accepted through GoFundMe at:
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Extra.ie
Sport legends fundraise for Cork girl who lost legs on farm
Irish sporting icons have been fundraising for a 13-year-old Cork girl who lost both of her legs in a farm accident. The 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser has been joined by a broad range of sports stars after Féile O'Sullivan suffered the life-altering incident in which she suffered severe lower abdominal injuries. Féile, who is from Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, currently remains in hospital at CHI Crumlin in Dublin. Féile lost her legs in a farm accident. Pic: 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser. She has undergone around 30 operations and procedures, including the amputation of both legs. Former Kerry footballer and seasoned rugby player Mick Galwey is the latest sportsperson to support the fundraiser. He has joined with a number of GAA stars, including Cork's Patrick Horgan, All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurler Darragh Stakelum and Clare legend Anthony Daly, in posting videos of their support online. Féile's club, Garnish GAA, launched the appeal nine days ago with the permission of her family to help raise funds for her rehabilitation in the months and years ahead. The fundraiser has raised over €468,000 so far. The accident occurred just before Féile's 13th birthday and she has shown 'great strength and bravery' in the weeks since. Féile will require intensive care for months, followed by intensive rehabilitation, and a complete adjustment to a new way of life. The fundraiser states: 'Anyone lucky enough to know Féile will tell you how full of life, energy, fun, kindness and what a pure messer she is. 'She adores dogs and horses. Farming is in her blood, and she loves everything about nature, outdoors, staying active. 'She's also a true sports star – whether football, soccer, gymnastics, or anything involving movement and fun, Féile is always giving it her all, with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes. 'This accident hasn't changed who she is, but has just changed what she now needs.' Féile will require intensive care and rehabilitation. Pic: 'Stand for Féile' fundraiser Féile's family, along with her community, are all 'heartbroken' and are preparing for the 'enormous' emotional and financial toll. Garnish GAA Development Officer and Cork County Councillor Finbarr Harrington says they are overwhelmed by the response to their appeal saying it has been 'phenomenal'. He remarked: 'We are a very small club, in a small rural parish of Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, 100 miles from Cork and probably the furthermost pitch from Croke Park. 'The family are so grateful for this. We reached out to other GAA clubs in the Beara Division and further afield and to GAA stars, and they've really rowed in behind the challenge.' As well as the online challenge, fundraising events are also being organized locally from cakes sales to sea-kayaking. Harrington added that Féile is a 'unbelievably outgoing girl' and that every donation 'no matter how big or small will go directly towards Féile's care'. He said: 'She is going to face the challenge, but she has a long road ahead of her. The funds won't ease the pain of what has happened but it will take away the financial worry for her mum, Maureen.' People can donate here.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- RTÉ News
Sporting legends fundraise for girl who lost both legs in farm accident
Sporting legends from across all codes have joined the 'Stand For Féile' fundraiser for a 13-year-old Cork girl who lost both her legs in a farm accident last month. Féile O'Sullivan, from Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, remains in hospital at CHI Crumlin in Dubin, following the life-altering incident in which she suffered severe lower abdominal injuries. She has undergone around 30 operations and procedures, including the amputation of both legs. Former Kerry footballer and Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions rugby player Mick Galwey is the latest sportsperson to support the fundraiser. He joins GAA stars, including All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurler Darragh Stakelum, Cork Senior hurler Patrick Horgan and Clare legend Anthony Daly to post videos of their support online. Féile's club, Garnish GAA, launched the appeal nine days ago with the permission of her family to help raise funds for her rehabilitation in the months and years ahead. So far, the 'Stand for Féile' challenge has raised almost €447,000. Garnish GAA Development Officer and Cork County Councillor Councillor Finbarr Harrington says they are overwhelmed by the response to their appeal saying it has been "phenomenal". "We are a very small club, in a small rural parish of Allihies on the Beara Peninsula, 100 miles from Cork and probably the furthermost pitch from Croke Park. "The family are so grateful for this. We reached out to other GAA clubs in the Beara Division and further afield and to GAA stars, and they've really rowed in behind the challenge." A first year student at Beara Community School, Councillor Harrington says Feile was "an unbelievably outgoing girl, loved sports of all kinds from football to horse riding, loved the outdoors. "This makes it (what has happened) even more difficult for her. "She is going to face the challenge, but she has a long road ahead of her. The funds won't ease the pain of what has happened but it will take away the financial worry for her mum, Maureen". As well as the online challenge, fundraising events are also being organized locally from cakes sales to sea-kayaking. Councillor Harrington says every donation "no matter how big or small will go directly towards Féile's care".
