As Shaun Dunworth from the Bridgend Ramelton remains in an induced coma at the intensive care unit of St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney more than 800 hundred people attended the ‘Mass of Solidarity’ in St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday evening.
Fr Michael Carney PP asked the congregation to join hands in solidarity with the Dunworth family. The emotion, support and sympathy of the congregation in this moment of poignancy spoke a million words.
Shaun who is approaching his 21st birthday in late August has been in a coma following the traumatic accident on Warringah Freeway some three miles from the Sydney Bridge at 4.40 on Sunday morning of last week. Police found him lying on the road under the High Street overpass at North Sydney.
Fr. Carney was joined by Fr. Desmond Sweeney in the celebration of the special Mass.
Members of the congregation described the scene inside the church as deeply moving and inspirational as the community reached out in prayers for the Dunworth family.
Shaun has undergone a number of surgical procedures in the past week and as surgeons battle to restore his health, his parents are keeping vigil at his bedside.
Stefen and Brenda are in Sydney and their trauma was also in the minds of the congregation on Tuesday evening as Fr. Carney offered prayers for them and wished Shaun a full recovery.
The wonderful setting of St. Mary’s was filled to overflowing as was the adjoining old school and members of the congregation also stood outside in the evening sun as they listened intently.
Fr. Carney said the Mass was very special and one could sense the intensity of support and love for the family.
He said they can take much comfort from the love of the congregation and he asked that Shaun be kept in everyone’s prayers in the days, weeks and months ahead.
His parents are keeping the family circle informed several times a day with news of Shaun’s trauma.
Shaun went to Australia in January and had just been accepted to commence his visa programme. While the family has been told he sustained serious head injuries and fractured a number of bones including pelvic damage, the full extent of of his brain trauma will not be known until the induced coma is reduced.
Fundraising events
In Ramelton, the renowned generosity, family relationships and goodwill has been reflected in the fundraising campaign that has already raised in excess of €60,000 including ticket sales for an all-star dance night at the Silver Tassie Hotel on Monday night, September 3rd. The lineup includes, Robert Mizzell, Jimmy Buckley, Gary Gamble, Martin Orr along with Paul and Jason McCahill.
A car wash at Sweeney’s on Moorefield last Saturday raised €525 while on Monday night in an impromptu gesture, Ruairi Friel of “In their Thousands’ raised €250.42 during a music session in the Goose and Gander pub in Carrigart on Monday night.
On Tuesday night Martin Orr played a fundraiser in the Orchard Inn Letterkenny.
Go Fund Me
On Wednesday afternoon the ‘Go Fund Me’ figure had reached €50,000.The link for donations is www.gofundme.com/566czu-shaun-dunworth-recovery-fund
Donation envelopes have been printed to facilitate the fund: they are available at Steve’s Café at Market Cross in Ramelton and at Kevin and Maire McFadden’s Shop at Gamble’s Square.
On this Friday night there will be a fundraiser in Conway’s Bar. It is a pyjama party and karaoke.
Meanwhile Nicky Hanlon of O’Shaughnessy’s Bar is organising a golf outing and he’s appealing for support from all the societies.
On Friday week (August 17th) Whoriskey’s supermarket is hosting a coffee morning from 10.00am until 3.00pm.
Sincere Thanks One and All!
Geraldine Magee (Shaun’s aunt) has paid a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported them in every way over these past ten difficult days: those who’ve called to the family homes: left donations in Steve’s Café; those engaged in fundraising: offering support, the support of the priests: the words of comfort and to those that came to Tuesday evening’s Mass which she described as a very powerful community testimony of faith, love and prayer.
The family has been overwhelmed with the amazing sense of generosity and goodwill and it has been an inspiration in helping them get through these difficult times of worry and concern.
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