THE Irish and show jumping fraternity in Wellington, Florida, have rallied to raise close to £150,000 so far for Elaine O’Halloran (24) from Strandhill in Co Sligo, who has been left with spinal injuries after she was the lone survivor in a fatal car accident on Saturday, November 25th last.
O’Halloran was a back seat passenger in the car when it crashed on the South Shore Boulevard in Wellington, killing the driver, Dana McWilliams (19) from Connecticut, and front seat passenger Christian Kennedy (21) from Iowa.
O’Halloran, who has been head groom for Co Clare show jumper David Blake at Pine Hallow Stables for three years, was taken to St Mary’s Medical Trauma Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she underwent reconstructive spinal surgery.
The 24-year-old must now undergo extensive rehabilitation in the local area, and Blake has set up a GoFundMe page online to help raise the vital funds for Elaine’s recovery, as she did not have medical insurance.
Speaking to The Irish Field on Thursday, Blake said Elaine is in good form. “She handling it really well and trying to work through and work as hard as she can. Time will tell,” he said.
She has been joined in Wellington by her mum and sister, as well as other extended family, and Blake added the support on the funding page so far has been unbelievable.
“It is unbelievable to see how generous people can be. As you know, medical cost over here are really expensive, even her hospital bill, so we are trying to get what we can. The quality of rehab will make all the difference in whether she will walk again.
“She is the head girl and keeps us all together, she is one of the most loyal hardworking people I have had the pleasure of working with,” Blake added.
As we went to press, $120,000 of the $500,000 goal had been raised.
RICKIE HEALY APPEAL
Your support is also needed this weekend for the Dunhallow Hunt Fun Ride on Sunday, December 10th, in aid of the Rickie Healy Appeal. The ride leaves Cecilstown Village at 12.30pm. Healy suffered severe spinal injuries in a swimming pool accident in Spain last July, weeks after he had taken up a job as the whipper-in with the Galway Blazers Hunt. Healy is undergoing rehabilitation in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire.
Donations can also be made HERE.