A fundraiser has been set up to help a young man who has been left with spinal cord and brain injuries after a horror bike accident.
Lucky Barquez, 23, who is living in Dublin and is originally from the Philippines, was injured when his bike struck a tree in the Wicklow Mountains earlier this month. Following the accident, Lucky was rushed to hospital and he remains in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin where he is receiving treatment for spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
This week, Lucky's friends have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help support him in his recovery and they are hoping to raise €30,000 to help with his rehabilitation. Joanna Stolarczyk, a friend and work colleague of Lucky's from Lidl at Thomas Street in Dublin, told Dublin Live that Lucky is "loved by everyone".
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She said: "Lucky is living in Dublin and he is originally from the Phillipines, his family moved back to the Phillipines a few years ago so he has no family here. He works with me at Lidl on Thomas Street in Dublin and he also works in a bike shop.
"Lucky has a great passion for BMX bikes, and on September 4 he was racing in Co Wicklow when he crashed into a tree and his helmet split in half. He is still in hospital with a spinal injury and a traumatic brain injury, he is waiting on an MRI to find out about brain damage."
Joanna explained how for two days after the accident while in hospital, Lucky was "paralysed" and unable to see, with doctors fearing that he might not be able to walk again. "He couldn't lift his left arm but now he is able to sit in a wheelchair. He's a young fella and we hope that he will recover well," said Joanna.
The idea for the fundraiser came from Joanna's district manager and manager at Lidl on Thomas Street while other friends of Lucky from the biking community have also set up a fundraiser to support him. Joanna said: "Lucky is a very positive guy, very energetic, he is always cracking jokes and everyone loves him. He will need a lot of rehabilitation and we want to support him."
A statement on the Gofundme page reads: "Lucky is very precious friend and co worker to all of us. We want to support him in every kind of way we can. He needs a lot of rehabilitation and best care possible to return to good health. That's why we are asking anyone and everyone to donate. Every penny will be highly appreciated."
Many of Lucky's friends and family have commented under the fundraiser wishing him a quick recovery. One person wrote: "Hi lucky I hope you will get well soon."
Someone else said: "Lucky, my G, I know you're a tough guy, remember we need to do dance break at Xmas man!" Another person commented: "We see you at the Christmas Party G
To donate to the fundraiser click here
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