THE community of Newcastle West has rallied together to raise funds for the family of a baby boy who has been in a critical condition at Crumlin Children’s Hospital since he was born in July.
Ricky Healy, the son of local couple Claire and Richard, was born in Limerick University Maternity Hospital on July 19 and underwent heart surgery shortly afterwards. He cannot breathe without a ventilator and must be fed through a tube.
There are currently seven specialists caring for baby Ricky, however the medical team has so far been unable to give a diagnosis for his condition.
Family friend Jimmy ‘Chops’ Sparling, who is coordinating the fundraising efforts, told the Limerick Post: “There are now plans in place to even go further and get specialists from London and Paris involved, but this had to be put on hold as Ricky just caught pneumonia. This poor guy is prone to catch infections very easily as his immune system is extremely weak or basically non-existent.
“The family has a very long road ahead of them, the doctors will not give up on Ricky and will keep working, testing and trying to find what is wrong with this little baby boy. Claire and Richard are a very strong couple and are holding and supporting each other.”
Claire and Richard also have three other children Corey (13), Ellie (7) and Melanie (5); tragically, the couple’s daughter Ruby passed away three years ago when she was 11 months old.
The fundraising committee ‘Raising for Ricky’ will hold a charity night on October 10 in the Ballintemple Inn in Newcastle West.
There is also an online GoFundMe account under the same name for cash donations.
The money raised will help Claire and Richard to pay for future medical bills, travel expenses between Limerick and Dublin, accommodation in Dublin, and other costs related to Ricky’s condition.
