MORE than 250 trucks, cars and tractors took to the roads of West Cork in support of Andrew Brennan, who said: ‘This has given us a lift that cannot be measured.’
Andrew, who suffered a suffered a spinal injury while working near his home in Schull on May 13th last, added: ‘It has given us even more drive to return home as soon as possible.’
Andrew is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire and is living close by with his partner Rosie Gingell.
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People donated more than €38,000 to the Tractor Run GoFundMe campaign, while an additional €12,000 was raised through a raffle, bringing the total, so far, to €50,000.
Although Dublin-born, Andrew said: ‘From the moment I first arrived in West Cork I have felt that this is where my heart and soul belonged.’
Part of that belonging came through his very close association with Skibbereen Rugby Club.
He said: ‘Many of the most inspiring and influential people in my life have been former players here.
‘Some of the greatest days of my life were wearing the Skibbereen rugby jersey and I have formed life-long friendships throughout that time.’
It is these same friends who organised the Tractor Run that was held on January 11th to help the couple meet medical care costs, as well as the cost of remodelling of their home in Schull.One of the organisers, John Hayes, told The Southern Star: ‘The support from the wider community was nothing short of incredible from stewarding and registration to pouring teas, cleaning up, selling tickets, and promoting the event on social media.’
This was just the first of several fundraisers to be held in the weeks and months to come. Next Saturday, January 24th, Skibbereen RFC J1 men’s team are at home to Thurles at 6pm and the gate receipt and raffle in the clubhouse afterwards will be donated to the newly established Andrew Brennan Trust Fund.
Alex Brennan returned from New Zealand to lend his assistance and was proud to read aloud his younger brother’s comments: ‘What the community has done here today has touched mine and Rosie’s hearts more than we can communicate.’
Andrew said that since the day he 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.’
