Community rallies around for Ben
The Crosserlough and surrounding communities have rallied around the family of a local man injured in a serious road collision in a remote area of Western Australia.
In little over a week, almost €200,000 has already been raised to help treat Ben Galligan who remains in ICU in an induced coma with serious, life-altering injuries.
Ben (25) is a “much loved” member of both the Irish community in Perth and at home in Crosserlough and Virginia, as has been evident in the massive community response since the incident on October 14.
Within a couple of days of the incident, Father Donal Kilduff celebrated a healing mass for Ben in Crosserlough where the community turned out in massive numbers.
“The church just filled,” Fr Kilduff told the Celt.
“Crosserlough is probably the biggest church in the area other than Ballyjamesduff, but the place was full. People couldn’t do enough for the family and they just feel helpless and empathetic.
“It shows the love, the desire to support and do something. You feel helpless in a situation like that. People want to do something and the something is to gather at mass.
“They want to appeal to the higher power.”
The fundraiser to help Ben was around €13,000 shy of its €210,000 target, as of today, with over 2,900 people having already donated.
The construction worker, who is on a working holiday visa, was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital after the incident, where he remains in the Intensive Care Unit. He has sustained life-changing injuries, head trauma (traumatic brain injury) and is currently in an induced coma.
His father Ollie, sister Joy, and their partners Sophia and Johnny have flown out from Ireland to be by his side in Australia.
Ben also has a large network of friends and his girlfriend in Perth, all of whom are rallying around him with incredible love and strength.
“He’s known for his hard work, resilience, and great sense of humour. Qualities that will be vital in the long road ahead,” the Go Fund Me page reads.
“We are in close contact with the Claddagh Association, who are providing invaluable guidance and support during this difficult time. However, Ben faces a long and uncertain road to recovery, one that will likely take many months and involve specialist rehabilitation, prosthetic fitting, and ongoing medical and emotional care.”
The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) will cover urgent medical care with some future support such as initial rehabilitation, but the extent of Ben’s needs are not known. He will likely need to remain in Australia for many months to receive the quality of care he needs.
“As his friends and family come together to support him, we are setting up this GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden that lies ahead.”
Funds raised will go directly towards, future medical care and rehabilitation not covered by the RHCA, urgent family travel and accommodation costs during his recovery in Australia. Ben’s non medical costs will also be significant and include future care or adaptation needs as his recovery continues. Any remaining money will be donated to charitable organisations such as the Claddagh Association, Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Royal Perth ICU.
“Ben’s journey will require immense strength and community support. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference and help give him the best possible chance to rebuild his life after this devastating accident,” the GoFundMe page encourages.
“We also want to say a huge thank you for the outpouring of support from everyone in Cavan, across Ireland, and all over Australia, from those who attended masses for Ben to those sending messages, prayers, and donations.
“Your kindness means more than words can say. The staff in the Royal Perth hospital are giving him great care and we thank them too.
“Let’s rally together for Ben, to show him that, no matter how far from home he is, he’s surrounded by love and support from his friends, family, and the Irish community across the world.”