A YOUNG Co Down GAA player who suffers from a curvature of the spine will be able to have potential life changing-surgery after a GoFundMe campaign reached its £40,000 target in just two days.
The campaign for nine-year-old Ollie Farrell, from Hilltown has now raised nearly £50,000, including a single donation of £2,100.
Ollie and his parents, Darren and Susan, will now be able to travel to Turkey for the surgery to arrest the effects of Juvenile Scoliosis.
He was diagnosed aged three but has played football for his local club, Clonduff GFC, from under-6s. He continues to play, now for the under-11s, despite the condition getting worse.
In a social media post, his parents wrote they will be "forever grateful" for the rush of funding to help their son.
"Target reached and surpassed, we are just now awaiting the 1st available appointment for Ollie to start his difficult and daunting journey," the couple wrote.
They also explained how they had hoped their "beautiful Ollie" would be able to maintain his 35 degree curvature with "bracing and exercise" to prevent spinal surgery.
However, his thoracic spine curve is now 87 degrees, requiring immediate surgery.
"Spinal fusion is the only option available to Ollie here currently. Spinal fusion would mean he would be unable to bend his back or have any growth potential and left untreated his rib cage will begin to press on his heart and lungs causing unrepairable damage and pain," his parents said.
"Since his dramatic progression this year we have frantically researched alternative surgery that could save the movement in his back, allow him to grow and live a normal life."
Clonduff's senior footballers are inviting everyone to join them for a Christmas Eve dip in the water at Rostrevor to raise further funds.
"Ollie is funny, loving and football mad. He loves our local club Clonduff GAC which he has been a member of since u6s.
"He loves Manchester United and all the soccer trivia. Ollie lives at home with his mummy, daddy, brother and 2 sisters.
"His dream is to play senior football of Clonduff and win the Championship."
The couple explained further that they flew to Turkey last week to meet with surgeon Prof Dr Ahmet Alanay.
"We hoped for positive news but instead we found out surgery is needed and needed now, he wasn't sure what he could offer us but assured us he would do his best for Ollie.
"He spoke to his colleagues in America and sliding rods is the best option for Ollie. On Tuesday 13th December he said 'I want him tomorrow', every passing week makes the surgery more difficult."
The £40,000 is the cost of the surgery and stay at the Acibadem Hospital. The extra money will help towards flights, accommodation and medical travel insurance. By Monday evening, the total was £48,280.
"We are overwhelmed by the strength and bravery Ollie shows every day of his difficult Scoliosis journey," his parents said.
"We would like to thank everyone for their kind words, prayers, offers of help and kindness throughout this journey."
