Community rallies around Galway girl who lost her leg – four days after third birthday

A community has come together to help a brave little Galway girl who lost her leg after a garden machinery accident – just four days after her third birthday.

Little Katie Walsh from Ballyglunin had been playing in the back garden of her home when the accident happened about six weeks ago – changing her whole life in a split second.

Indeed the consequences could have been even worse were it not for the fact that her father Philip acted with such speed; medics who treated Katie said that he saved her life.

Katie was rushed to UHG and transferred to ICU at Temple Street Children’s Hospital where the amputation took place.

To help her get back to full life, Katie needs a prosthetic foot – and until that happens, she has to be carried everywhere; on top of that, her family home will have to be adapted to suit her needs into the future.

And beyond that, because of her young age, Katie is going to need continuous surgeries, rehabilitation, care and constant adaptation of her prosthetic. The huge costs of care, prosthetics and home adjustments to make her home suitable for her needs have left her family with a massive financial obstacle.

Two Steps for Katie has already struck a chord with the entire community – and last weekend alone, a sponsored car wash raised €18,000, with 15 locals getting involved over a twelve-hour period.

Donations can also be made through a special GoFundMe page online. And you can read the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in all shops now – or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie