Injured man ‘hugely honoured’ as club hosts massive fundraising tractor run
Denis O'Leary, Schull, braving the elements on his 1952 David Brown 25C petrol tractor, followed by Tomas Lannin, Schull, on a 1964 Fordson Super Major, at the Skibbereen RFC tractor, truck and vehicle run in aid of a former player Andrew Brennan. Picture: David Patterson
A man who suffered catastrophic spinal injuries after he fell from a roof on a local farm says he has "a new energy" after more than 250 trucks and tractors took to West Cork roads to raise money for his care.
Andrew Brennan, 39, a carpenter who also worked at the renowned Gubbeen Farm and cheesemakers, was fitting solar panels to the roof of a building outside Schull in May when he fell.
He was airlifted to hospital in Dublin and survived the fall, but suffered life-changing injuries. He has been left largely paralysed, will need a wheelchair and is unlikely to ever walk again.
“From the moment I first arrived in West Cork, I have felt that this is where my heart and soul belonged,” Mr Brennan, who is originally from Dublin, wrote on the GoFundMe following the fundraiser on Sunday.
“However, since the day I was injured and was airlifted to a hospital in Dublin, this place that I love has felt a million miles away. But now, through this show of support and solidarity, I feel closer to West Cork than ever.”
He thanked fundraiser organiser John Hayes and everyone involved for their “time and hard-earned money” which “is going to have a huge impact on my recovery”.
“However, it is the emotional support, which this gathering has given us, that is of the greatest value. It has given us a new energy to drive forward,” he wrote.
Mr Brennan, described by friends as “very sporty” and athletic, had played rugby with Skibbereen RFC. The club organised the fundraising tractor run to help him cover spiralling medical and accommodation costs.
He will require a wheelchair, he will have to adapt his home in West Cork for its use, and he has to cover rent in Dublin while he is rehabilitating, as his specialist care is based there.
Around €34,000 of the €35,000 goal was raised on GoFundMe by Tuesday.
“[Andrew] is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire and will need significant ongoing care as he prepares to take on this difficult challenge,” a representative of Skibbereen RFC wrote on the GoFundMe page.
“We would like to support Andrew and his family at this challenging time. We would be extremely grateful for any donations, large or small, which will go directly to help with the ongoing medical care, accessibility needs, and financial support that Andrew needs, both now and in the years ahead.”
Mr Brennan said Skibbereen Rugby Club is “very close to my heart”.
“Since arriving in West Cork, many of the most inspiring and influential people in my life have been former players here,” he wrote.
“And I have been fortunate enough to have proudly represented this club and fought hard for my place. Some of the greatest days of my life were wearing the Skibbereen rugby jersey, and I have formed life-long friendships throughout that time.
“I have recently been lucky enough to bring my nephew through the underage system here and see this place help him grow into the man he will become.”
He said he looks forward to being back on the sidelines soon.
“I am hugely honoured that this event has been organised," he stated. "It has given us a lift that cannot be measured and has given us even more drive to return home as soon as possible.”
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