CO Tyrone singer Malachi Cush has told of his pride in raising £10,000 for the NHS and Air Ambulance NI, which he said helped him on the road to recovery since a horrific crash in June last year.
The Donaghmore performer said he "always wanted to give something back to those people who have given me so much" after he suffered serious injuries in a collision outside a hardware shop in Dungannon.
In April, the singer shared the song, Nothing Seems Right, a poignant new song about the pain of losing a loved one, and set a target of £2,000 on his fundraising page.
Within days of the release of the song, that target was surpassed with more than £10,000 raised.
Mr Cush said he had wanted to raise funds for the Air Ambulance charity that came to his aid on June 3 last year and the rehabilitation unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast where he underwent months of treatment.
The singer and shopkeeper Andrew Trotter were injured when they were struck by a runaway car on Scotch Street.
Mr Trotter suffered injuries to his head, shoulder and elbow while Mr Cush's leg was dragged under the car causing his knee and knee capsule to become dislocated from his leg.
He also received a deep laceration to his chin and lost a couple of teeth.
The former Fame Academy star underwent several operations and continued rehabilitation on his leg in order to bring it back to full strength and mobility.
Four weeks after the launch of the fundraiser, he is donating £6,000 to the Air Ambulance NI charity and £4,000 to the RVH rehabilitation unit, which will be used to purchase two pieces of equipment for patients who have experienced similar injuries.
"I'm absolutely blown away and humbled by the generosity of so many who donated to my fundraising campaign," Mr Cush said.
"I always wanted to give something back to those people who have given me so much and helped me get back on the road to recovery since my accident.
"I am donating these funds on behalf of all those who have supported this campaign and am so grateful to each and every one.
"Thanks once again to all at the Air Ambulance NI team, I now know first-hand how important this service is and wish them every blessing in the future."
Damien McAnespie, fundraising manager for the Air Ambulance NI charity, said: "The lyrics and music video of Malachi’s song are so fitting for what we are all experiencing at the minute and the way Malachi was able to generate this huge fundraiser during a global pandemic and a lockdown is inspiring.
"Malachi’s donation will cover the cost of our service for one day and with our medical team responding to one to two incidents every day, this could potentially help save someone’s life, limb or brain in Northern Ireland."
