Fundraising campaign to support Cork teen with life-changing injuries reaches over €140k within days 

A fundraising campaign to support a Cork student who suffered life-changing injuries following a car crash has reached over €141,000 in just a few days.

On May 20, Rory Motherway, an engineering student in MTU, was driving to Killeagh to a junior football match his team was playing in when he lost consciousness while driving and was involved in a serious car accident which has left him with life-changing injuries.

Following the tragic incident, Killeagh GAA — where Mr Motherway plays — has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the Motherway family.

Mr Motherway, the club said, suffered permanent spinal cord damage following the accident, which results in him now having paraplegia and being a full-time wheelchair user.

After his accident, the 19-year-old spent three weeks in the spinal injuries unit in the Mater Hospital where he underwent three separate operations.

Following a seven-week stint in the Trauma Ward 2A of Cork University Hospital, Mr Motherway was then moved to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

“He will spend a number of months here continuing his rehabilitation, aimed at building up his independence and capacity to ultimately return home to live with his family and resume his education in MTU,” Killeagh GAA said on the GoFundMe page.

Mr Motherway’s family — parents Ina and Colman, brothers Barry and Dara, and sister Orla — are, the club said, “most grateful for all the support and kindness shown by so many people since Rory’s accident and will continue to give their best love and support to Rory as he adjusts to a new way of living”.

“Rory and his family would appreciate any support that you can give to help ensure that the family home is adapted to meet Rory’s needs,” it added.

Any funds raised through the GoFundMe page will be used directly for home modifications, including installing a platform lift; creating an accessible bathroom, bedroom and kitchen; building a level access car port and external ramps; installing essential universal design features and providing necessary medical and rehabilitative equipment.

“Rory may also require assistance in the future to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and to consider investigation of medical advances in Ireland or abroad,” Killeagh GAA said.

To donate to the fundraiser, search for ‘Killeagh GAA Rory Motherway Fundraiser’ on www.gofundme.com.