Friends band together to raise funds for prosthetic leg for Neale man

POPULAR Tim Kelly from The Neale is pictured at home recently.

Friends band together to raise funds for seriously injured Neale man


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

A MAJOR fund-raiser is to be staged by friends and neighbours of a popular Neale man who suffered extensive and life-changing injuries in a freak road accident last January.
Father of three Tim Kelly (47) received multiple internal and external injuries in the accident leading to the amputation of his left leg above the knee.
The campaign has been launched to fund a replacement prosthetic leg for the well-known Neale man, and to cover medical bills that are incurred.
With Tim and his family facing these huge medical bills, Tim’s friends have rallied around to stage a fund-raising campaign to generate some much-needed funds to help cover the costs.
Tim has spent much of the last five months in hospital, and is currently at his home in the Neale in a wheelchair. The next number of months will include intensive physical therapy and medical assistance, while he will continue to need new prosthetic legs over his lifetime.
A spokesperson for the committee expressed the necessity for these funds in helping Tim make a full recovery.
“All who know Tim appreciate the difficulties he is now facing. One of our aims is to fund a prosthetic leg for Tim, and these cost between €10,000 and €30,000. Typically, a patient will require three or four prosthetic legs in the first five years after amputation, and regular replacements throughout their life,” explained the spokesperson for the fund-raising committee.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Pat McGrath, PRO for the fundraising campaign, outlined how the campaign took shape in order to help cover the huge costs involved in restoring Tim to full health.
“Once Tim’s co-workers from ECC, his friends and his wife’s friends heard about the cost of an artificial leg and other medical costs, we all wanted to do something to help. We’ve had a very positive response about the whole thing. Already 50 trucks have committed to being involved in the Truck Run, and we have already received donations from local businesses.”
Other events, include a social night, cross-country and hack, and a major raffle and auction.
“This fund will be used strictly for the payment of medical expenses and will help with the fitting of prosthetic legs over the coming years. The fund will be managed by two trustees nominated by the committee,” explained Pat.
“We all want to make an effort to help Tim, who has suffered such a debilitating accident that could have happened to anyone. As a community, we wish to give Tim every opportunity to return to a full and active life.”

Donations can be made directly to a special Friends of Tim bank account in AIB Bank, Ballinrobe (sort code 93-70-53, account number 05292015).
Secure online donations can also be made at www.idonate.ie/friendsoftim.
A Facebook page has also been set up – facebook.com/FriendsofTimmy.

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