A fundraiser for the Geraldine Lavelle Trusts - ‘A Mid-Summer's Night Party for Geraldine', will take place at the Welcome Inn Hotel in Castlebar, on Saturday, June 21, at 8.30 p.m. There will be live music from Stereomob, an auction, raffle and spot prizes on the night.

Tickets for this event are currently on sale and cost €10 each. Tickets are currently being sold door to door around the town and county, and are available from all committee members or you can contact thegeraldinelavelletrust@gmail.com if you wish to buy tickets. If you wish to get involved selling tickets- we meet at The Welcome Inn Hotel each evening at 7pm.

Geraldine Lavelle

A native of Snugboro, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Geraldine is a past student of St Joseph's Secondary School, Castlebar and St Peter's National School in Snugboro, Castlebar, Mayo.

Geraldine is a recent graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway, having attained a first class honours M.Sc. degree in Neuroscience, as well as a first class Bachelor of Science honours undergraduate degree in Physiology.

Employed as a diagnostic technologist for Abbott Diagnostic Division in County Longford, she is also a keen fitness and sports person. Geraldine, who is a qualified gym instructor, is highly passionate about many sporting activities including cycling, running, kickboxing and yoga. The winner of gold and silver medals for kickboxing at the World Martial Arts Peace Games and World Championships in Italy, Geraldine is keen to continue maintaining an active sports life. Despite the fact Geraldine was still undergoing intensive rehabilitation; she participated at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital games in England at the start of April this year, where she won silver in her category. As a testament to her amazing character, Geraldine was also awarded the 'Marchday Shield Award', which is given to one individual across the entire competition for 'overall outstanding achievement and endeavour'.

As a result of a serious cycling accident last October, Geraldine suffered a spinal fracture that left her paralysed from her chest down. Having spent several weeks in the Mater Hospital in Dublin, where she underwent major surgeries on her neck and spine, Geraldine is currently in the National Rehabilitation Hospital undergoing intensive rehabilitation.

A major fundraising campaign has been launched to raise funds for Geraldine's recovery and rehabiliation.

Family and friends revealed Geraldine's determination and willpower is inspirational to see. Geraldine is consistently achieving beyond the expectations of her medical and physiotherapy team.

Refusing to accept her medical prognosis, she stated her number one goal is to walk again one day. In order to achieve this objective, Geraldine and her family are looking into innovative treatments and procedures internationally, which could further enhance her mobility and recovery.

In the meantime, Geraldine is keen to return to the life she had prior to her accident. This will require massive effort on her part in terms of intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy, specialised equipment and communications technology, as well as enormous physical, moral and financial support from family and friends.

Irish Times Article: "Geraldine Lavelle is determined to walk again after spinal injury".

To donate and for more information see The Geraldine Lavelle Trust website.