AN IRELAND football player has donated a signed jersey from his international debut to an auction in aid of a paralysed Irish teenager.
Alan Browne, who plays for club side Preston North End, donated the jersey he wore on his first ever game for Ireland against Turkey, to the Jack O’Driscoll Appeal Fund.
19-year-old Jack O’Driscoll suffered a serious injury to his spine when he fell while walking home in Cork during Storm Emma in early March.
A GoFundMe appeal was set up after it was confirmed that the teen fractured his C5 vertebrae in his neck and faces paralysis from the chest down.
The appeal is seeking to raise €200,000 to cover Jack’s medical expenses and living needs.
So far it has raised almost €130,000.
A statement on the GoFundMe page, written by Jack’s family, reads:
“He (Jack) is currently in the hospital’s High Dependency Unit where he is receiving first class care from the teams of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.
“This is the first tentative stage in a long road to recovery for Jack.
“Through all of this Jack has remained positive, upbeat and determined.
“Based on Jack’s outlook, his friends and family are hopeful that his progress will continue and allow him to begin the next stage of his rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
“Since the accident, Jack’s family have been overwhelmed by goodwill and support. Therefore, members of Jack’s friends and family have established this funding page with the goal of raising the necessary funds for the dedicated support and treatment he will require.”
The jersey donated by Alan was signed by the entire Irish squad.
A €500 bid is currently in place for the shirt, however, it is expected to fetch a lot more when it goes to auction.
