Locals asked to dig deep for Bernd

Locals are being asked to dig deep when volunteers selling tickets for a raffle to raise funds for local man Bernd Holmberg call in the coming weeks.

German native Bernd has been living in Tullamore for 24 years. Last May a workplace fall led to him being paralysed from the neck down, and now he and his partner Mary Lowbridge are hoping funds can be put in place to adapt the ground floor of their two-storey home in Arden View.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week Mary, who gave up work to care for Bernd, said the upstairs half of their home is now of no use to Bernd.

“We’re trying to get a wet room built on,” she said. “We have no bathroom for him now; it’s all bed washes at the minute.”

The fundraising raffle will culminate with a fundraising function in the Bridge House Hotel on Friday, February 28 at 8.30pm.

Sponsored by the same venue, the event will include the raffe draw along with both food and entertainment.

Tickets for the raffle that includes as prizes wine, jewellery and a painting cost €5.

Householders should also note that all ticket sellers will have a copy of their permit with them when they call and will have sealed buckets with identification.