Young Mayo man’s fundraiser to support brain injury survivors

ACQUIRED Brain Injury Ireland has held a successful fundraiser - as 90 brave souls abseiled down a 190 foot Skyview Tower in Smithfield, Dublin.

The event has raised much needed funds, and one Mayo family played a central role.

Family members and friends of Aaron McWalter, from Tulrahan, travelled to Dublin to take part and show him support. They chose to get involved because of a brain injury that tragically struck close to home.

At Christmas time in 2020, Aaron suffered an acute spontaneous brain bleed at the age of 13. He was living a normal teenage life when he suddenly got a headache and fell ill.

He was taken to Temple Street Hospital and his parents, Bernie (nee Flatley) and James McWalter, were given the devastating news, that he had a bleed on the brain and he needed emergency life-saving surgery.

The surgery was a success and following some very difficult days, Aaron was able to walk away from Temple Street.

When Aaron and his family heard about Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s 2023 abseil event, they saw it as a chance to fundraise for two very important organisations that work with brain injury. They also wanted to give back to Temple Street Hospital because of the exceptional care he received and the great support the staff have given to him and his family.

Aaron and his family wanted to take on this challenge to also highlight the lack of services at present for children who suffer brain injury and highlight the need for more to be done.

Aaron’s dad, James, his uncles Adrian and John, cousins Austin and Cian, and one of his friends, Ethan, all made the big drop on the day and completed the abseil.

Aaron has received amazing support and currently has over €23,000 raised that will be split between the two charities.

Fundraising continues through the month of May and you can donate now on https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/Aaronsfundraiser-ie.