West Cork rallies to help 13-year-old girl who lost both legs in farm accident

A major fundraiser has been launched to help a young girl who sustained life-changing injuries in a farm accident in West Cork just days before her 13th birthday.

Young Féile O'Sullivan was critically injured on a farm in the Beara area of West Cork over a month ago.

She suffered severe lower abdomen injuries and underwent an emergency double leg amputation after being airlifted to Cork University Hospital where doctors worked for days to stablise her.

Her medical team decided she should go to Dublin for further specialist treatment, but her transfer was delayed for several weeks as her condition was so touch-and-go. She is now in Dublin and will face a long rehabilitation process there before returning home to West Cork, with doctors saying it could be a year or more before she sees West Cork again.

Local Cllr Finbarr Harrington told CorkBeo that those who know Féile well believe it was her own strength that kept the young girl from the Allihies area alive.

"Féile is an incredibly strong girl, in every way. She might not have made it without that strength, and she has faced everything and is still fighting, she is just incredible," said Cllr Harrington.

"She has already undergone around 15 surgeries. It's incredibly difficult for Feile and for her mother Maureen and everybody in the community here wants to support them and let them know they will be there for them now and in the years to come."

Cllr Harrington is part of a committee that has been formed to start fundraising for the 13-year-old and her family.

"If you look at who is involved, it is just about every group and every organisation from Beara, Féile played football with Garnish GAA and Beara Ladies, her mother played for her club and for Cork, there's the GAA, there's the local soccer club, Beara United, nationally, we will have Macra na Feirme and the Men's Shed movement getting involved.

"This is just the start of it. Féile is going to need her house altered for when she comes home, the family will need an adapted car, she will need support for the rest of her life and everybody here, the whole community, wants the family to know they will get that."

"Her whole life changed in a split second. But she will have the support of the people here for the rest of her life. That is what we are all working for together, now."

Cllr Harrington said they are hoping to hear from anybody in Ireland or abroad who can help, whether that can be by organising fundraisers or giving more practical support.

"Maybe there's a builder or a builders' supplier who can help us with expertise or materials. We'd like to hear from anybody who can help, whether it is by hosting a coffee morning or donating windows and doors.

The organising committee have set up a GoFundMe which - at 11am this morning - had already raised over €36,000 on the way to their €140,000 target. The Beara has a very large diaspora, with people from this part of West Cork living all over the world and they expect to have support from the US, Australia and elsewhere.

In making the appeal, they said: "Anyone lucky enough to know Féile will tell you how full of life, energy, fun, kindness and what a pure messer she is. She adores dogs and horses. Farming is in her blood, and she loves everything about nature, outdoors, staying active - She’s also a true sports star — whether football, soccer, gymnastics, or anything involving movement and fun, Féile is always giving it her all, with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes. This accident hasn’t changed who she is, but has just changed what she now needs.

The journey ahead will be long and challenging. Féile has had extensive surgeries and battled hard to still be with us. She will face many more surgeries to help her.

She will require intensive care for months, followed by intensive rehabilitation, and a complete adjustment to a new way of life.

On top of the emotional and physical toll, there are enormous financial burdens — hospital stays, specialist care, physiotherapy, emotional support, mobility aids, prosthetic limbs, home adaptations, and much more we haven't thought of yet

Her entire family is heartbroken. So is her amazing community, determined to stay strong and support Féile. The emotional and financial toll is enormous. That’s why we’re reaching out — to ask you to support our incredible girl through her hardest times.

Every donation — big or small — will go directly towards Féile’s care — medical treatment, specialist equipment, home adaptations, all support she’ll need now and in the years to come. Even a supportive message or sharing this page can mean the world.

Féile is a true warrior. Let’s surround her with love and strength, so she gets through this incredibly impossible journey. Let’s show her just how many people are behind her, cheering her on every bit of the way."

You can support Féile O'Sullivan on her journey by going to the GoFundMe page and making a donation - here. If you want to get in touch with the organising committee to offer more support, you can reach them through Garnish GAA club on their Facebook page.

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