A hotelier who miraculously survived a near fatal brain injury abseiled from the top of his well-known local hotel yesterday.
Tom Moran, who runs the Red Cow Hotel, is aiming to raise €200,000 for St James’ Hospital where he underwent his recovery.
Early yesterday morning Tom abseiled from the new nine-storey extension to his hotel almost three years to the day since he was placed in an induced coma following a fall while on holidays in Malaga.
Attracting the largest number of abseilers in one day, Tom, his family and Dr. Colin Doherty, his neurologist, were joined by 130 thrill-seekers, including celebrities, country singer and Dancing with the Stars finalist, Cliona Hagan; Fair City actor, Dave O’Sullivan; broadcaster Ray D’Arcy; comedian, Eric Lalor and former professional boxer, Bernard Dunne, to descend the iconic hotel – the highest abseil from a building in Ireland, standing at 35 metres.
In June 2016, a stroke caused Tom to fall while on holiday in Spain which caused a significant injury to his head.
He underwent a craniotomy and spent six weeks in an induced coma in Spain, before being airlifted to St James’s Hospital in Dublin under the care of Dr. Colin Doherty.
From the outset, the outlook was very bleak and Tom was not expected to survive.
His family were told that if he did there was every possibility that he would require care for the rest of his life.
The damage caused to his head was likely to result in him being brain damaged, blind and paralysed.
Three years on, Tom has defied all odds and has made an incredible recovery.
Speaking at the event, Tom spoke of his huge sense of achievement.
“I was nervous and excited about this challenge but I am so glad I did it!” he said.
“It has been a fantastic day.
“It would not have been possible without all the help and support of my family and friends over the last three years, as well as the incredible care and attention given by Dr. Doherty and the neurology team at St James’s Hospital.
“I was determined to give back to the hospital that helped me and to help others.
“I am overwhelmed by all the generosity and support from everyone to make this happen.”
All funds raised for the ‘Jump4James’ Abseil Challenge will go to St James’s Hospital Foundation towards providing a new Brain Disease Resource and Research Centre at the hospital that will offer a new model for patient care in neurological disease.
The fundraising event also offered lots of fun family activities and live entertainment.
Shane Horgan of the three Irish Tenors compered a great line-up on stage in the the hotel’s Courtyard Garden throughout the day with local dance act ‘Xquisite’, Paddy Cullivan and DOC from Late Late House Show Band, Mary Byrne, Mickey Harte, For Adio, Phlem Chors, Avi & Friends, and a special guest performance by Cliona Hagan.
To support Tom and donate, please visit, www.supportstjames.ie/tom-says-jump-jamess-abseil-challenge/
The Abseil Challenge was provided by Adventure.ie, Ireland’s leading provider of charity challenge event and has been providing adventure activities since 1999.
