€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 Festival.Other 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.

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