A women-only charity sea dip will happen tomorrow to lift funds for a Dubliner who suffered a severe spinal harm in Mexico.
att Murphy (26) was on a ship tour with associates off the coast of Cancun final summer time when he fractured his C5 vertebrae after diving into the water and hitting a shallow sandbank.
The favored Skerries man underwent emergency surgical procedure however has been left with restricted perform in his arms and has no management of his triceps, palms or decrease physique.
Nevertheless, docs say his spinal twine continues to be intact, elevating hopes he’ll sooner or later be capable of stroll once more.
After being repatriated to Eire, he was initially cared for on the spinal unit of the Mater Hospital and is constant his therapy on the Nationwide Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire whereas dwelling at residence along with his household on weekends.
The ‘Bob Your Boobs for Matt’ occasion takes place at a discreet north Dublin coastal location on Good Friday.
The fundraiser is a part of a marketing campaign by household and associates to lift cash for his ongoing care and attainable therapy in a specialist centre overseas.
Up to now, virtually €250,000 has been raised for Matt by means of numerous occasions, raffles and donations.
Frances O’Brien, organiser of the charity dip, mentioned her son Paddy and Matt have been associates because the age of three and he’s been a relentless presence in her household’s life.
“Matt is likely one of the nicest, kindest, funniest guys you can meet,” she mentioned. “This was such a tragic accident as he was at all times so stuffed with journey and life.
“To see him strolling by means of my entrance door once more can be the very best current ever.”
Ms O’Brien mentioned they had been impressed to organise a women-only occasion by the ‘Dickie Dip’, an annual males’s bare sea swim in Skerries that raises funds for prostate most cancers care.
“We didn’t wish to do a dip within the nip however thought it could be a little bit of enjoyable to bob our boobs and get out and in rapidly,” she mentioned.
“We count on that between 20 and 30 girls will go topless on the day, with others carrying swimsuits additionally becoming a member of in. Two minutes of blushes might help make a lifetime of distinction for Matt.”
She added that volunteers shall be amassing cash in buckets on the occasion, which shall be restricted to feminine spectators solely.
Donations might be made right here.