Fundraiser launched for Irish marathon runner in coma after being hit by a car in Italy

A fundraiser has been launched for a 'resilient' young Irish woman currently in a coma following a horror car accident in Italy.

Earlier this month, Hannah Leonard, who was training for Dublin Marathon this weekend, set out on a long training run while abroad in Sicily.

After only several kilometres, Hannah was struck by a car while crossing at a pedestrian crossing, and was sent flying approximately 15 feet across the road, landing on her head.

Hannah's family reported that she suffered "devastating brain injuries", and underwent three hours of life saving neurosurgery shortly after the incident. 

During the course of the surgeries, a large piece of Hannah's skull was removed in order to access her brain and relieve the pressure. The piece of skull has yet to be replaced.

Following her neurosurgery she was transferred to ICU where she remains today. Since the initial surgery, Hannah has undergone several additional surgeries including a tracheotomy and fitting of a catheter to her head to remove excess brain fluid, and she is receiving frequent CT scans in order to monitor the swelling on her brain.

Despite the extensive work performed by hospital staff in Sicily, Hannah has remained in a coma since the accident.

"The initial prognosis was not good, but the neurosurgeons in Sicily said they considered Hannah to be like their little sister and vowed not to give up hope, her survival was their top priority," Hannah's family explained in a GoFundMe.

Hannah’s parents Kevin and Vanessa, as well as her siblings Dylan and Lily and Boyfriend Cathal are all currently in Sicily with her, visiting her in the ICU whenever permitted.

"They are hoping above all hope to see even the tiniest improvements each day," the GoFundMe explained.

The online fundraiser is aiming to ease the financial pressure on Hannah and her family while she remains in hospital abroad.

"We are beginning to see some glimmers of hope as she has started to react to touch and is making some minor movement, but what her recovery will look like is still unknown," the fundraiser explained.

"Hannah is an amazing young woman and her strength and determination is what has kept her with us. She’s a fighter who is making her family prouder day by day at how resilient she is.

"She will be utterly devastated when she learns that she missed the Dublin Marathon which she was due to complete 10 years after her Dad completed it, both of them dedicating it to Hannah’s grandmother Caroline".

The online fundraiser has already raised over €30,000 with a target of €35,000.

The GoFundMe for Hannah can be found HERE.

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