BALLOONS released to fundraise for a young Galway man receiving treatment in Britain after a brutal attack left him with brain injuries have reached as far as Sweden.
The Care for Shane Trust held a balloon race on Saturday, August 1 at the Palace Grounds in aid of Shane Grogan with the prize awarded to the person whose balloon was found the furthest distance away.
A total of 5,000 balloons were launched, the furthest of which travelled 1,578 km to Sweden, whilst others made it to Roskilde (Denmark), Hanover (Germany) and Cumbria (England).
This balloon was found in Roskilde, Denmark on Sunday morning (Photo: Facebook)Between 300-400 people attended the fundraiser, which collected €15,000 towards Shane’s treatment.
Shane, 25, was walking his girlfriend home in the early hours of August 5, 2012, after the pair spent a day at the Galway Races, when he was hit on the head with a brick.
Since then he has been receiving treatment in Ireland, but in May he arrived at the Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital - a leading centre dealing with traumatic brain injuries in England.
During his three-month stay, Shane has undergone extensive treatment focusing on regaining his physical movements.
His father Joe told The Irish Post that while his mental state has not changed, the family remain positive.
“There have been some glimmers of hope," he said.
To date, over €120,000 has been raised for the family through a fundraising campaign that was set up to support the Grogans following the attack.
In 2013, Shane Byrne, 19 and originally from Kilcarrig Avenue in Tallaght, Co. Dublin, but living in Tuam at the time, pleaded guilty to reckless assault causing serious harm.
