A fundraiser set up just four days ago to help with the cost of treatment and recovery for a seriously injured toddler has raised over €20,000.
A fundraiser set up just four days ago to help with the cost of treatment for a seriously injured toddler in Temple Street Children's Hospital has raised over €20,000.
Zac Higgins is currently in an induced coma since he was knocked down while playing with a ball in a cul-de-sac in Castle Meadow in Mahon earlier this week.
The two-year-old who was hit by a blue Mazda 6 suffered a bleed to the brain and several broken bones.
He was transferred from Cork University Hospital to Temple Street by ambulance just hours after the accident.
Little Zac remains in a critical, but stable condition.
Doctors are hoping to slowly bring the toddler out of a coma in the coming days which can take up to 72 hours.
It is believed the recovery period and rehabilitation for Zac could be anything from three months to two years.
Following the hit-and-run, a teenager was arrested in connection with the accident, however, he has since been released without charge while a file is being prepared for the DPP.
Friends have rallied behind the Higgins family by setting up a fundraiser to help Zac's family with any bills they now face following the horrific incident.
On GoFundMe, the organiser wrote: "Zac Higgins is a 2 and 8 month year old bubbly toddler like any child his age. Loves football and loves playing with his family and friends. Zac was full of the joys of life up until Monday 25th March 2019."
"Zac was playing football in his front garden and the ball went out onto the road outside his house which is a Cul De Sac. Zac followed the ball like any toddler would do but was struck by a car and has since suffered severe injuries. The car failed to stop."
"To the shock of family and neighbours and the community, Zac was treated by emergency services and rushed to the Hospital in Cork City."
"Later on that evening Zac was put into an induced coma and transferred up to the Temple Street Children's Hospital and rushed to intensive care."
"Zacs progress has been constantly monitored and his treatment is currently ongoing," it concluded.
In just four days, €24,000 of the €50,000 target has been raised.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
Kellie Kearney is a Dublin mammy of 4 kids aged 2, 3, 5 and 9 (and she is expecting baby #5 in May). Described as a self-confessed procrastinator and picker-upper of things, Kellie would never turn down a coffee, loves to travel and shares her every day true to life moments on Instagram.