Meet the couch-surfing pensioner, Dr. Marty Holland.
A retired university lecturer from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, is set to embark on a solo walk around the entire coastline of Ireland to raise money for charity.
Dr. Marty Holland will walk a staggering 4,000km in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Marty will begin his walk on 24 May, beginning his trek on the Clare-Galway border and then walking in an anti-clockwise direction, as close to the coast as is safe, down through Munster and Leinster.
That part of the trip will take place between May and September 2016, while next year he will walk the Ulster and Connacht coastline.
Those interested in mapping his progress can follow Marty’s blog and check for Twitter updates @CoastForCancer.
In the blog, a personalised link to the MyCharity website will enable those who wish to make an on-line donation to do so.
Marty was inspired to take up the challenge after witnessing two close friends battle cancer in recent times.
He says that, “the sense of powerlessness that I felt when my friends Michael and John were dying from cancer has motivated me to get out there and do something positive to help combat cancer.”
The Irish Cancer Society funds invaluable work in the areas of cancer research and support services so Marty hopes to raise money to help them in their work.
Apart from the obvious challenge of the kilometres to be walked, Marty identifies accommodation and transportation of gear as two key logistical issues.
“I am confident that people will be generous in their support for this worthy cause by way of financial donations, there are few out there whose lives have not been touched by cancer but, to keep costs down, I’ll also be dependent on peoples’ good will and generosity in offering me somewhere to put my head down for the night and in getting my rucksack transported from A to B.”
Those wishing to offer support of any kind can contact Marty directly at his email address. He would particularly welcome offers of accommodation and/or transportation of luggage from point to point along the route:
Email: coastforcancer@gmail.com
Twitter: @CoastForCancer
Blog: https://totalcoastforcancer.wordpress.com
Donate: https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/coast-for-cancer
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