Help Deborah Redwood Return Home and Recover

What Happened

On June 10, 2025, Deborah Redwood, a talented artist from Wollongong Australia, was hit by a pick-up truck while riding her bicycle in the USA. Deborah was there for an artist residency and was cycling back from a trip to a local nature reserve when the accident happened. She suffered severe injuries, including a broken clavicle, almost every rib broken, a broken vertebrae, a collapsed lung, along with a serious brain injury. Deborah was in a coma for ten days, and for a while, it wasn’t clear if she would make it.

Deborah Redwood, recovering in hospital seven weeks after the accident.

Today, she is stable but still on a long road to recovery. Deborah has been moved to a rehabilitation hospital, but it’s too early to know the full extent of her injuries and what the future holds. She’s far from home, with no close friends in the USA, and her friends are doing everything they can to support her.

Who is Deborah Redwood?

Deborah is a well-known sculptor and visual artist based in Wollongong, Australia. Her large-scale metal sculptures have been exhibited around Australia and overseas. In 2023, she won the Sculpture in the Garden award, one of the top honours for artists in the country. She’s exhibited in Perth’s Sculpture by the Sea and had works acquired by many collectors across Australia. Deborah is also a founding member of the Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts (IAVA) and is an important figure in the local arts community.

Deborah Redwood with her award winning ‘Banksia’ at the 2023 Sculpture in the Garden.

Although Deborah doesn’t have any children, or close family by blood, she has a huge network of friends who love and care for her, including many artists from the Illawarra region. This is her family. It’s these people who have come together to set up this Go Fund Me page to raise funds to support her during her recovery.

Timeline of Events

Deborah arrived in the USA on May 13, 2025, for an artist residency at Villa Barr Art Park near Detroit, Michigan. She was excited about the opportunity to work on her art in a quiet, inspiring place. Just a few days before the accident, Deborah was posting about her time there and the art she was creating, including sculptures inspired by the natural world.

On June 10, just before midday, Deborah was riding her bike (and wearing a helmet) when she was struck from behind by a large pick-up truck. The driver was travelling at around 80 km/h (45 mph), and the impact was severe. She was unconscious when the paramedics arrived and was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from her brain. She remained in a coma for many days after the operation, and wasn’t responding to any attempts to revive her. Deborah’s friends and loved ones feared the worst. But after ten days she woke out of her coma.

Deborah slowly began to improve. She regained consciousness, and started responding to stimuli. It took five days before she was fully responsive. Things started to look more positive and she even attempted to speak. In early July, she had another surgery to replace a piece of skull removed in the first operation. The surgery went well, and Deborah is now in a rehabilitation hospital, where she continues her recovery.

Her physical recovery has been amazing. She is able to walk with assistance. But she has a traumatic brain injury that requires targeted and ongoing brain rehabilitation. She cannot function on her own at this current time.

How You Can Help

While Deborah has travel insurance that is covering her medical expenses, there are many costs not covered, and her friends and supporters are stepping in to help. We’re hoping to raise $50,000 AUD through this Go Fund Me page to support Deborah emotionally and financially during her recovery.

Your donations will help with:

While we are asking for $50,000 AUD initially, Deborah’s recovery will be long and may require ongoing medical care, therapy, and support. Once we know more about how the injuries will affect her long-term, we may need to raise additional funds to support her.

Why You Should Donate

Deborah is a cherished part of the Australian arts community, and she’s made a lasting impact through her art, her leadership, and her generosity. Many of us know her as someone who lifts others up, whether through her art, her mentorship, or her deep connection to the community. Now it’s our turn to help her when she needs it most.

Your support can make a world of difference. A donation, no matter the size, can help Deborah focus on getting better without worrying about the financial strain of being so far from home. Your contribution will also help ensure her friends can be there with her, offering emotional support and helping with her recovery.

We’re asking for help because Deborah can’t do this alone. Every dollar counts, and your support is so appreciated by Deborah, her friends, and everyone who loves her.

Message from Deborah’s Friends

Deborah has always been an inspiration, whether it’s through her breathtaking sculptures, her generosity, or her ability to bring people together. As her friends, we want to give back to her in any way we can. We know that her strength and determination will carry her through, but having the emotional support of her loved ones, and the financial support from all of you, will make a huge difference.

Deborah Redwood with fellow artists and friends Mary Wingrave, Judy Bourke and Liz Jeneid.

Please share this Go Fund Me, donate if you can, and keep sending Deborah your positive thoughts and messages of support.

Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness.

For more about Deborah’s artwork and her journey, visit her official website: www.deborahredwood.com

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