Hi all, my name is Dave O'Leary and i'm lucky to call myself a good friend of Donal Goulding. I'm one of many because that is the kind of person Donal is. I spent a significant time in the Naval Service working with Donie and became great friends over that period.

This fundraiser is for Donal and his family at their time of need. His daughter Nicola has been appointed as the sole beneficiary for any money raised and has complete control over how this money is spent to support Sinead, Nicola and Jake during this period, so that they can pay for flights, accommodation and whatever is needed in order for them to be by his bedside during this tough time.

Donal “Donie” Goulding, a Senior Chief Petty Officer with the Irish Naval Service, is someone who has dedicated his life to service—both at sea and within his community. Known for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering willingness to help others, Donie is the type of person who shows up when people need him most.

Outside of his naval career, Donie’s great passion is cycling. As a proud member of the Ballincollig Crusaders Cycling Club, he has spent countless hours on the road with friends, building connections and supporting fellow cyclists. Each year, he looked forward to traveling to Spain, where his club would stay and cycle with their friends at Orihuela Costa Cycling—a tradition filled with camaraderie, sunshine, and the simple joy of the open road.

On Wednesday, April 8th, Donie arrived in Spain for what was meant to be another memorable week of cycling with friends. After getting fitted for their bikes, the group headed out for a short spin—something they had done many times before. Tragically, during this ride, a number of cyclists were struck by a car.

Donie has suffered the most severe injuries in the group. He is currently in a coma in a local hospital, and while information is still emerging, the situation is critical.

As his family comes to terms with this devastating news, one thing is clear: they need to be by Donie’s side. Traveling to Spain, securing accommodation, and taking time away from work all come at a significant and unexpected financial cost during an already overwhelming time.

This fundraiser has been created to support Donie’s family—to help ease the financial burden so they can focus entirely on what matters most: being there for him.

Donie has spent his life helping others. Now, it’s our turn to help him.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page to help spread the word.

Thank you for your support, your kindness, and your prayers for Donie and his family.