The community in Tuam is rallying to support a local man on his journey to recovery after he suffered a bleed on the brain.

At just 39 years old, Rafal Sakowicz has a long road ahead of him but his colleagues at the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) in Tuam are determined to aid him in any way they can.

Anne Collins from the IWA in Tuam says it came as such a shock to hear that their colleague and friend of three years had collapsed last November and after months in Beaumont Hospital, Rafal is now awaiting a call to be transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire.

Rafal, who is originally from Poland, began working in the Tuam IWA centre over three years ago on a Community Employment Scheme and such was his commitment to the role, and popularity with the service users, he had secured a full-time position shortly before suffered this life-changing illness.

Anne, together with a few friends, has organised a fundraising night for Rafal in the Ard Rí House Hotel in Tuam, which will take place next Friday, May 17.

The fundraiser in the Ard Rí has attracted great support, with Kenneth Doyle of Streetwise organising a seven-piece band to play on the night free of charge.

Tickets for the event are available in Tuam from Quinn’s Shop on Bishop Street; The Galway Roast on the Square; the Wheelchair Centre at the Glebe; and from the Wheelchair Centre at Briarhill in Galway City.

Caption: Rafal Sakowicz

Donations can also be made at www.gofundme.com/f/a-journey-for-rafal.

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