A fundraiser set up to help a 41-year-old Galway father of three seek groundbreaking treatment for his cancer was among Ireland’s five fundraisers on GoFundMe in 2023.

James Hastings from Kinvara was diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer affecting the bile ducts – and the campaign to ensure he could avail of pioneering treatment in the UK raised an impressive €260,000, the fourth highest fundraiser on the site over the last twelve months.

At the same time, Galway is officially Ireland’s ‘Most Generous County’ for the fifth consecutive year with over 17,000 donations to GoFundMe pages in 2023 – ahead of Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Dublin.

GoFundMe’s report also announced Ireland as the most generous country on a global stage with over 620,000 donations this year alone.

This month also saw a huge surge of fundraisers on the GoFundMe Platform following the shocking attack on Dublin’s Parnell Street last month, resulting in riots in Dublin’s City Centre. More than €700,000 has been raised to date and these donations continue to rise.

Indeed the second highest total raised all year, €368,000, was to Buy Caio a Pint, set up to thank hero Deliveroo driver Caio Benicio after he intervened in the attack on the children. Caio was on his motorbike when he saw a man with a knife attacking a young girl on Parnell Square East.

Help James Beat Cancer, the fundraiser for James Hastings, was also phenomenally successful.

The Kinvara United Football Club coach was determined to combat the diagnosis despite being eligible for EC approved immunotherapy, the HSE would not cover the costs, prompting the need for urgent fundraising. James is now undergoing treatment in the UK in August.

GoFundMe’s report also announced Ireland as the most generous country on a global stage with over 620,000 donations this year alone.

“Ireland continues to lead the way in giving on the GoFundMe platform!” said John Coventry, VP Corporate Affairs at GoFundMe.

“The current wave of compassion and unity echoes Ireland’s longstanding legacy of generosity, reminiscent of the spirit that propelled the historic Live Aid Concert in 1987, where Ireland outshone all other countries in fundraising.

“The recent attack in Dublin City Centre further underscores the incredible kindness within our community, reflecting both resilience and compassion in the face of adversity,” he added.