By Declan Varley, Galway Advertiser
This time last year, life for a Claregalway man changed forever.
Gerry Commins was undertaking some voluntary work for the benefit of his community when he suffered an accident that has seen him confined to a wheelchair.
Every community has people like Gerry, people without whom things wouldn’t get done. Every day, every night, even as you read this, there is somebody in your community doing a job that we will all benefit from. Communities happen because of the things people do to make them happen. Communities exist because people go out of their way, to offer their skill,s to pass on their expertise. It is this coming together that makes living in a small town or village worthwhile.
We all need people to play this role in life and to this end. we owe those who give of their time, ability, and selves for the betterment of the places where we all live. Community life would not function without them.
This month last year, Gerry Commins from Bawnmore, Claregalway was working in such a voluntary capacity at Bawnmore, when he sustained his life-changing injury and his community are now rallying around to help the man who was was helping them.
Gerry was working that day to help us all. Now, it is our turn to help Gerry rebuild his life. So, please do what you can. A fundraising effort to cover the cost of redesigning his home to allow him to live a full life s now underway and we are asking you to contribute if you can.
The Journey with Gerry committee is delighted to announce that you can now contribute online. Simply visit ifundraise.ie and look up Journey with Gerry. This is ideal for people who are abroad in particular or for those who haven’t had a chance to contribute. The committee would like to express their sincere thanks for the magnificent response so far and if you want to donate, there are still plenty of opportunities to do so.
Gerry spent several months of recuperation in the National Rehab Centre in Dun Laoghaire where the seriousness of his injury was assessed. He spent several months there and last July he returned home to his family in Bawnmore.
Each week, they can see incremental steps in his recovery. He has resumed driving but there are many everyday difficulties that remain and will continue to do so.
Gerry, who lives in Bawnmore with his wife Caroline (nee Roche) and their two children Clodagh (14) and Shane (11), needs to redesign their home to cope with his new everyday living needs.
To that end a new extension, with his specific requirements catered for, is to be built. In an effort to help defray the costs of this extension, a fundraising raffle with excellent prizes will take place on Easter Sunday Night (April 16) at a function with music and dancing in the Claregalway Hotel entitled The Journey with Gerry.
Tickets for the event are €10 but you can also donate at Athenry Credit Union BIC ATRUIE21 IBANIE 60ATRU99110010472394.. Cheques can be made payable to Journey with Gerry. Any help you can give will be much appreciated by the organising committee.
For further information or if you want to help with fundraising contact any member of the organising committee: Sonny O’Brien, Jackie Burke, Mary Forde, Mary O’Brien, Tony Stephens, Sean Walsh, or Kathleen Burke on 087 1616479.
Event Partners: Claregalway Hotel, Galway Sports Medicine Centre, Safety Direct.
. The Journey with Gerry Fundraising Raffle will commence at 9.00pm on Sunday night. There will not be a charge into the event, but if people want to purchase a €10 Ticket to enter the Raffle on the night they can. Also, Envelopes will be available on the night if anyone wishes to make a Donation towards Journey with Gerry.
