Fearghal's family donate to ‘flying doctor' fund

THE plan to get an air ambulance for Cork has been boosted by a donation from a local family.

Fearghal Beamish from Ardfield near Clonakilty was just 26 when he died in an accident at work at Clona Dairies last year.

And his family have now honoured his memory by making a donation of nearly €12,000 to the project to get a ‘flying doctor’ service for Munster.

The project, announced recently, wants to fund an air ambulance that would make access to Cork’s hospitals easier for people in outlying areas of West Cork and other parts of the county. Nollaig Beamish has said the donation is part of the family’s bid to bring positivity to a tragic situation, and they realise the huge importance an air ambulance would be to West Cork.

Last July, on the first anniversary of Fearghal’s death, the family held a fundraising event as part of Ardfield Summer Festival. There was a community walk, run and cycle that drew up to 1,000 participants.

The family recently donated the money to Ann Kelly of the Irish Community Air Ambulance group, who were thrilled to accept the generous cheque.

Nollaig told The Southern Star that such a service might one day help someone who might find themselves in the same situation as her brother, Fearghal, was, in 2015. 

Fearghal left behind his beloved sisters Nollaig and Eimear, brother Gearoid and his father, John. His mother, Marion, passed away 16 years ago.

The air ambulance project continues to look for donations and has set up a text donation service. 

Simply text the word Flight to 5O3OO to automatically donate €4 or see the website at www.communityairambulance.ie