On April 30th, just four days after celebrating her third birthday, Katie Walsh of Ballyglunin was playing in her family home's back garden when she suffered life changing injuries from an accident involving machinery. Katie has undergone numerous surgeries since, and has had to have her left foot amputated.
Doctors at Temple Street Children's Hospital credit the quick actions of Katie's father Philip with saving her life.
Going forward, Katie will require a prosthetic foot, multiple surgeries and rehabilitation. The family home will require major adjustments to cater for her needs. Due to the costs involved, friends of Katie's family have established a gofundme fundraiser under the name of 'Two Steps for Katie'.
The initial goal was to raise €100,000, but the generosity of the local community, who quickly rallied to support Katie and her family, has seen over €140,000 raised by over 3,000 donors at this point.
Along with the gofundme campaign, a sponsored car wash was held, with €18,000 raised through that event.
Tricia Quinn, who organised the fundraiser, said "Besides the medical aspects of her care, Katie's home needs adjusting and we want to help her parents by setting up this page and getting the work done without causing any upset or stress to her family. This is not what anyone asked for but unfortunately life has changed dramatically in a split second. Please help in any way you can and understandably if you can't give at all please just say a prayer and light a candle for our beautiful princess!"
Katie had her second surgery on June 2nd and is said to be recovering well.
Donations can be made at https://ie.gofundme.com/f/two-steps-for-katie
