Community rallies to support ‘one of life’s gentlemen’

A FUNDRAISING campaign has been set up to support a Bettystown man who was given a devastating diagnosis after headaches turned out to be a terminal brain tumour.

Alan Reid (43) began suffering from headaches initially not thinking it was as serious as it would later be discovered.

After attending his GP, the local taxi driver was prescribed medication for a suspected viral infection and was sent home but was rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda after collapsing just days later. The dad of three was then transferred to Beaumont where he underwent scans that revealed some worrying results.

Just a few days later the popular Bettystown man was undergoing major surgery by the Neuro team at Beaumont Hospital to remove a brain Tumor the size of a golf ball.

Now the community of Bettystown has come together to rally around Alan led by his boss, John Sullivan, owner of East Coast Cabs who says he wants to do all he can to help his employee and friend in his time of need.

As of this week, the GoFundMe page had raised more than €5,000 of a €10,000 target in order to help Alan and his young family.

"Alan is one of life’s gentlemen and this devastating news has come as a total shock,” said the taxi boss. A loving father and great friend to all that are lucky enough to know him, Alan is one of life’s gentlemen and this devastating news has come as a total shock,” he added.

"Alan is a great guy, he is loyal and somebody I would trust my life with. Even when my own kids were growing up and going out at night, I would say Alan would you get the lads, he is just a very dependable, likeable guy. The aim of this fundraiser is to try help Alan and his children at the worst time imaginable for any family.”

It was just a number of weeks ago that Alan received the harrowing news that he had an inoperable brain tumour according to John who said:

"He was diagnosed about a month ago now. He went to the doctor because he was feeling unwell, he had a pain in his head and he was vomiting. He was told it was a viral infection, he went back to the doctor who prescribed him something else but when he got back to the car he collapsed and he was rushed to the Lourdes.

"He was transferred from there to Beaumont where he underwent scans that showed a tumour the size of a small orange. They operated on him to try and remove the tumour. The surgeon told him that they got some of it but could not get all of it.

"He has started treatment to manage the symptoms and give him as much time as possible. The other lads in East Coast Cabs have come on board too and we just want to do what we can to make things as easy as possible for Alan and his family.”

A charity night will take place on Friday, 22nd September in Moran’s Pub in Mornington to raise funds for the Alan Reid Benefit Fund.