Incredible GoFundMe following Creeslough Tragedy sees over €660,000 distributed

A GoFundMe campaign founded in response to the Creeslough Tragedy that raised almost €700,000 saw the funds distributed to the intended recipients over the weekend.

A total of €693,382.60 was raised and a final tally of €661,425.28 was distributed once the GoFundMe and legal fees were deducted.

The campaign was initiated by Gerard McFadden from Ards, Creeslough while he was resident in Brisbane, Australia, the morning after the tragedy last October that claimed 10 lives following an explosion at the local service station. The GoFundMe was the second-largest fundraising event in Ireland on the platform in 2022.

The funds were added together into the McFadden GoFundMe Trust and the distribution saw an agreed amount shared equally among the families of the deceased and an amount shared equally among those hospitalised with injuries.

Gerard said he would like to thank everyone who supported the GoFundMe and all the other fundraising events that were combined to create the McFadden GoFundMe Trust.

These included: Colin Kilpatrick, Bernard, Patrick Long and Dean McLaughlin from Trucking For Creeslough, John Ross Molloy on behalf of Walk With Me, Tony McGowan Run Committee, 66th infantry group UNDOF Syria organised by Corporal John Gallagher of the 28th Infantry Battalion, Anythony Langan on behalf of the Endoscopy Department at Letterkenny University Hospital, Doe Amature Swimming Club, Michelle Doherty from her Dublin Marathon, Creeslough Childcare, the Ozanam Centre in Dunfanaghy, Christine Gallagher in New York, Donald Craig, The Workhouse Dunfanaghy, Letterkenny Liverpool Supporters Club, The Creeslough Day Centre, St John Bosco Centre in Donegal town and Raymond McFarland and friends who ran the Dublin marathon. Donal McGettigan on behalf of the Donegal vintage and classic car club, Vincent O’Rourke on behalf of the North West Donegal vintage club.

“Thanks to all who supported the GoFundMe and all those who held fundraising events within the GoFundMe campaign, our friends across Ireland, England, Australia and America who helped share it among their businesses and communities,” Gerard told DonegalLive. “I’d like to also thank all those who fundraised on top of theGoFundMe.

“The response was overwhelming and we are happy to distribute the funds raised to where it is intended and be shared among the families of the deceased and injured. I’d just like to thank everyone and again offer my sincere condolences to all the bereaved families and a speedy recovery to all those injured in the tragedy.”