'There are no words for everyone's generosity': Over £19k raised for teen Lucy Robb, seriously injured in horror crash that killed boyfriend
An appeal to help an 18-year-old seriously hurt in a horror crash that killed her boyfriend has raised more than £19,000, as the community rallies around to aid her recovery.
Co Antrim teen Lucy Robb should have been excitedly preparing to get her A-level results this month, before starting her dream studies at the University of Ulster.
Instead the young Randalstown woman has been in intensive care in a Dublin hospital, recuperating from the aftermath of what’s described as “a devastating car accident” in Donegal a little over a week ago.
Her boyfriend, 24-year-old Ronan King from Lurgan, was killed in the crash. His funeral took place at the end of last week.
According to a fundraiser set up by Lucy’s family, she’s expected to spend a considerable amount of time in hospital as she fights “extremely serious, life‑changing injuries”.
Lucy hoped to start studying Occupational Therapy at the University of Ulster later this year, which according to a message on the fundraiser was “a dream she worked tirelessly toward and was so excited to pursue”.
Add her relatives: “Instead, she is now facing a long and complex road of recovery, rehabilitation, and major adjustments to her home so she can have the best possible quality of life.
“This tragedy has placed an overwhelming strain on her parents, Terry and Caroline. Lucy needs them both by her side in Dublin for the foreseeable future, yet they also have two other children at home who need care, stability, and support. Balancing these responsibilities is incredibly difficult, and the emotional and financial pressure on the family is immense.”
Terry and Caroline are reportedly drawing strength from every gesture of compassion shown to them as they struggle to cope with every parent’s nightmare, with relatives stating: “Your prayers, kindness, and messages of support mean more than words can express.”
The fundraiser has been set up to help Lucy in her recovery, giving her a chance to rebuild her life after suffering “unimaginable tragedy”.
In a demonstration of the community’s determination to help out, within days of the GoFundMe appeal launching it had taken pledges amounting to more than £19,000 from over 500 people.
State Lucy’s relatives: “There are no words for everyone’s generosity. Thank you. Every penny will help Lucy on her long journey ahead to recover.”
The 18-year-old “remains in ICU and is still very ill” they state, adding: “The mountain ahead of her is extremely steep, and she is only at the very beginning of that climb.
"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you – thank you for every thought, every prayer, and every donation. Your support means more than words can ever express.”
Speaking about the fundraiser, they state: “We are asking, from the bottom of our hearts, for any donation you can spare, no matter how small.
"Every contribution will help Lucy take the next step in her recovery and give her the chance to rebuild her life after this unimaginable tragedy. As a family, we need all the support we can gather at this incredibly difficult time, and we are eternally grateful for your generosity.
“Please continue to keep Lucy and her family in your thoughts and prayers in the days, weeks and months ahead.”