Cork GAA fundraiser for bereaved Killeagh family is GoFundMe's top earner in 2023
The Walsh family home was destroyed following the fire, and with a lapsed house insurance policy due to financial difficulties, the family is now homeless. Picture: Killeagh GAA Club
A fundraiser that raised almost half a million euro for a family in Killeagh after a series of tragic events, has been announced as Gofundme's number one earner this year.
On April 22, the Walsh family lost their home, and almost all of their possessions when a fire spread from an adjoining garage, and left the family of seven homeless.
Just over a week after the house fire, on May 1, Brendan Walsh, who was a father of five, died tragically. The fundraising page stated:
“Brendan leaves behind a heartbroken wife and five children who are destitute and homeless."
Mr Walsh was a carpenter before retraining as a carer following the economic crash. He was a frontline worker throughout the covid-19 pandemic.
Described as an “outstanding” hurler, Mr Walsh played with Killeagh, Imokilly, and with Cork at all levels.
The fundraiser, which was set up by Killeagh GAA, got a huge response. It raised a staggering €498,400 for the family, with over 5,000 donations.
Gofundme's 2023 Year in Giving report also announced Ireland as the most generous country on a global stage with over 620,000 donations this year alone.
Galway was revealed as Ireland's most generous county for the fifth consecutive year with over 17,000 donations to Gofundme pages in 2023.
Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Dublin follow closely behind.
This month, Dublin also saw a huge surge of fundraisers following a stabbing incident outside a school on Dublin's Parnell Street on November 23.
On Wednesday, a Brazilian Deliveroo driver who intervened during the attack said €368,650 is now in his bank account following a GoFundMe appeal.
43-year-old Caio Benicio was passing Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire at lunchtime that day when he saw a man stabbing a child with a knife.
He wrestled the attacker to the ground and hit him with his helmet.
Three children were injured in the incident.
A five-year-old child remains in a critical condition at Temple Street hospital.
Creche worker Leanne Flynn, who tried to protect the children during the attack, remains in a serious but stable condition at the Mater hospital.
Globally, 26 million people gave on the Gofundme platform this year, where one donation was made every second.
$50 was the most common donation, and January 2 was the most generous day on the platform as people supported NFL player Damar Hamlin following his collapse on the pitch.
Gofundme VP corporate affairs John Coventry, commented: "Ireland continues to lead the way in giving on the GoFundMe platform.
"The recent attack in Dublin City Centre further underscores the incredible kindness within our community, reflecting both resilience and compassion in the face of adversity."
Gofundme is funded through optional tips from users rather than via a fee from those using the platform.
However, there is a transaction fee automatically deducted from each donation.
According to a Gofundme spokesperson, "it covers the costs of credit and debit charges, safely delivering donations, and helps us offer more ways to donate — through credit, debit, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. "This is the only fee deducted on Gofundme to cover all fundraising needs."
When donating to a personal crowdfunding campaign in Ireland, the transaction fee is 2.9% + €0.25, if donating to a charity campaign, it is 1.9% + €0.35.
The Killeagh GAA community came together after The Walsh family in Killeagh lost their father shortly after they lost their home and almost all their possessions in a fire leaving the family homeless.
This fundraiser was set up to buy hero Deliveroo driver Caio Benicio a pint in thanks after he intervened in a stabbing. Caio was on his motorbike when he saw a man with a knife attacking a young girl on Parnell Square East.
This fundraiser was set-up for seven-year-old Roscommon boy Joseph Belton, diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk cancer called Neuroblastoma. Enduring surgeries, chemotherapy, and various treatments meant Joseph, a passionate sports enthusiast, temporarily put aside his love for Gaelic, hurling, and soccer. The family is now urgently raising funds to enroll Joseph in a clinical trial at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, targeting Neuroblastoma's relapse.
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This fundraiser was set up for James Hastings, a prominent Galway businessman, diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer affecting the bile ducts. James was determined to combat the diagnosis despite being eligible for EC approved immunotherapy, the HSE would not cover the costs, prompting the need for urgent fundraising. James now explores treatment options abroad, including the UK, where a specialist indicates a promising response to immunotherapy.
This fundraiser was set up to help support the children and the carer in Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire who were victims of a horrific attack at their school on November 23.
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