'Songs for Sean' fundraiser is a huge hit (From Swindon Advertiser)

Event held to raise money for Sean Connolly

11:13am Tuesday 13th November 2012 in News

FRIENDS and family of Sean Connolly helped to raise hundreds of pounds by enjoying a night of musical entertainment.

Family friend Sarah Eden-Winn took to the stage at Jesters Snooker Hall on Friday night to sing songs in exchange for donations for Sean.

Sean, 26, who grew up in Liden before moving to London, set off for a two-week holiday to India in October but was found collapsed in the street the next day and has been critically ill in a coma.

He is now receiving treatment at Great Western Hospital and the event on Friday raised £400 in his honour.

Organiser Trish Burchall said: “The money is to go towards the care he needs to get him on the road to recovery, whatever it may be. It could be used to help the family or Sean. It is just there so they don’t have to worry as it could be a long road ahead.

“We were pleased with the amount of people there. Sean’s mum and sister came too. It was a very emotional night, even the singer broke down at one point.It was a really good night and we were really grateful for the money raised.”

The cause of the former Dorcan Technology College student’s injuries remains a mystery as he has not regained consciousness, although it is not thought he was attacked. He had no travel insurance and it was costing up to £1,000 a day to keep him in intensive care in a Mumbai hospital. His family and friends launched a fundraising campaign to bring him home and Sean flew back on a private charter earlier this month.

A race night will take place at Jesters on November 24 from 8.30pm to raise more funds.

For updates on Sean’s condition, visit www.facebook.com/ groups/helpseanconnolly