Hi, my name is Dyon, I’m 28.

To be honest, I feel embarrassed setting up a GoFundMe and asking for help, but I don’t really see another option right now. I’m working full-time as an EMT with a private ambulance service, and the college course in UL is €7,516 a year which I just don’t have.

Over the past few years, I’ve been working towards this, starting as an Emergency First Responder, then progressing to Emergency Medical Technician, and now working on the road with the private ambulance service. I genuinely love the job, but despite working 40+ hours a week and as much overtime as I can, the pay is only slightly above minimum wage.

Unfortunately, there’s no way of progressing to paramedic from my current position, so going back to college or getting into the National Ambulance Service are my only options.

This isn’t a “pity” GoFundMe, I’ve always worked for what I have and I’ll continue to do that while completing this degree. I’m just looking for a bit of help from anyone who’s in a position to give it.

My plan is to commute from Trim to Limerick Monday to Friday and work weekends if I get accepted. My car (a 2012 Passat) will be essential for this, but it needs some work, including the clutch and shocks. That’s why I’ve set the goal at €8,000 to help cover both college fees and keeping the car on the road.

A small bit about me, I studied business and psychology and graduated in 2021. I couldn’t get into that field without doing a Master’s (which costs €15k+), so I emigrated to Canada for a while. I ended up coming home after realising I wasn’t on the right path. Since then, I’ve found my direction, met my partner Mark, and we have a golden retriever called Charlie. After coming home, I retrained as an EFR and then an EMT, which is where I am now.

At the moment, progressing through the National Ambulance Service apprenticeship isn’t realistic, with waiting lists of 2+ years, so going back to college is my only real way forward.

If you can afford to give anything at all, I’d really appreciate it. And if not, even sharing this would mean a lot.

I know times are tough for everyone in Ireland right now, so please don’t put yourself under any pressure, I just appreciate you taking the time to read this.