A retired university has set off on a solo walk around the entire coastline of Ireland to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.
65-year-old Dr. Marty Holland, originally from Belfast, will be relying on the good will of members of the public to provide him with a place to rest as he ‘couch-surfs’ his way around the country.
Now retired, Marty was a lecturer Mary Immaculate College in Limerick and lives in Cratloe, Co Clare.
Marty was inspired to take up the challenge to fundraise for the Irish Cancer Society after witnessing two close friends battle cancer in the past two years with one passing away in recent weeks.
“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,” Marty said.
Marty set off from Ballyvaughan in north Clare yesterday (Tuesday) and will work his way anti-clockwise around the country along the Munster and Leinster coasts.
The father of three will walk until the end of September and then recommence his challenge in April 2017 when he will completed his walk of the Ulster and Connacht coasts.
The total walk will cover approximately 4,000km. Marty hopes to manage between 20 and 30km per day depending on the conditions.
Coastal roads and established paths and walk ways will be the main routes, always sticking as close to the coast as is possible and safe.
“I see the benefits of on-going research in the growing number of those who have survived and recovered from cancer including my own sisters and a brother,” Marty said.
Apart from the obvious challenge of the kilometres to be walked, Marty identifies accommodation and transportation of his equipment 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,” he said.
Those wishing to offer support of any kind can contact Marty and he would particularly welcome offers of accommodation and/or transportation of luggage from point to point along the route.
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