A 17-year-old saw his dreams of becoming a footballer dashed after a freak accident left him paralysed.
Corey Prendergast, from Cashel, Ireland, was out playing with friends when he suffered a severe spinal injury last month.
He is currently undergoing treatment in the Mater Hospital Dublin, with friends, family and the wider community rallying in the form of a fundraising page.
The shock accident has had a huge impact on the local community and Corey's parents, Amanda and Ian, who have been travelling from Tipperary to Dublin each day to be by his bedside.
Former Irish internationals John Aldridge and John O'Shea have given him messages of support.
Corey's club Cashel Town FC have rallied around the young sportsman to offer their support to his parents and has organised a fundraising campaign to aid his recovery, Kick it for Corey.
The campaign has been supported by former Liverpool and Ireland international Aldridge, who sent Corey best wishes in a video message and said he hopes to see him at Anfield in the future.
He said: "Hiya Corey, it's John Aldridge here mate, ex-Liverpool and Republic of Ireland striker. I believe you support both teams like myself. I hope you're alright.
"I believe you've had a bad accident and you're not too good at the moment, so I just want to wish you all the very best in your recovery and hope to see you at Anfield in the future.
"You take care, mate. You'll never walk alone. All the very best."
Former Manchester United and Ireland international O'Shea also shared details of the Kick it for Corey fundraiser in his Instagram stories.
The GoFundMe post reads: "Corey Prendergast is a young man from Cashel, Co Tipperary who went to school on Tuesday 10th May 2022 a happy 4th year TY student. What happened to Corey that day was to change his, and his families, lives forever.
"While playing with friends a freak accident occurred. Corey suffered a severe spinal injury that has left him paralysed. Its a tragedy our community is still trying to come to terms with.
"Anyone who knows Corey will tell you of his exceptional talent as a football player. Having played at every age group through the Cashel Town Schoolboys Club, he graduated to join the Cashel Town youths team with the honour of being the outgoing Schoolboys player of year for 2021 season.
"Having played with the youths throughout the season, he was also recognised and played with the Adult junior team at the age of 16, rewarding his ability and talent.
"As you can imagine, his parents Ian and Amanda, and his siblings, will also have to make massive adjustments to their lives as Corey starts on his road to recovery.
"To help provide some financial support for Corey and his family, his Cashel Town Soccer family are asking you to please donate to this GoFundMe page. Please like and share this link. Sincerest thanks to you all for your kind donations."
The fundraiser reached over €22,000 (£18,700) in just five days after people were moved by Corey's story. If you would like to donate to the Kick it for Corey GoFundMe, see here.
