Helping a Stand-up Guy 'Get Back on His Feet'

John Hegarty is the kind of guy who'll do anything for anybody. So when he ran into medical problems last year, his many friends in the community wanted to pitch in to help a friend in need. Hegarty owns Hegarty Maintenance, and does work on condo units in Chesterbrook and around the area.

Hegarty has diabetes and suffered an injury last year that led to an infection in his leg. The end result was that doctors had to amputate his leg from the knee down. He says the support he got from his friends on the police force was overwhelming.

Hegarty tells Patch that Tredyffrin officers came by to visit and bring him meals as he recuperated from surgery last year in Devon Manor.  Now he's back home where he lives with his 20 and 16-year-old sons.  He has just started gruelling physical therapy and is working toward literally getting back on his feet and back to his business.

Acting Tredyffrin Police Superintendent Lt. Anthony Giaimo describes Hagerty as one of those guys who will come across a driver with a flat tire, pull over and help before "help" can arrive. Other officers agree and have pitched in to help raise money to get a Hegarty a high-end prosthetic leg, not covered by his insurance. 'We literally want to help him get back on his feet' and back to work officers told Patch.

Their goal is to raise $16,000.  Monday afternoon officers who have been spearheading the fundraising efforts joined Hegarty for a check presentation ceremony at the Tredyffrin Township Municipal Building.  Sandi Gorman of T&E Care presented Hegarty with a check for $500 toward his medical expenses.

Tredyffrin officers have made personal donations and helped raise more than $3,000 toward their goal. More fundraising activities, including a carwash are planned in the coming weeks and months.