Fundraising walk for Muscular Dystrophy to pass through Kildare
The walking route will involve locations in counties Kildare, Dublin and Meath
A fundraising walk for those living with Muscular Dystrophy will pass through County Kildare, as well as through locations in counties Dublin and Meath.
The ‘Walk4Ollie’ fundraiser will return later this month, with Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) member Paddy Hickey and dad to Ollie, who lives with Bethlem Myopathy Muscular Dystrophy, once again taking to the road to raise funds and awareness for both MDI and the Ollie Hickey Fund.
The Ollie Hickey Fund is delivered through two streams: the Fund and the Bursary.
Both streams aim to support people in accessing opportunities, experiences, equipment and services that can promote independence, inclusion and quality of life.
JOURNEY
As part of the fundraiser, Paddy undertake an ambitious seven-leg journey from the North Wall in Dublin to Enfield, County Meath, with supporters invited to join him for all or part of the route.
The routes passes along Cross Runs Bridge, Castleknock, Leixlip Confey, Maynooth, Kilcock and Fern’s Lock before reaching Enfield, where supporters will come together to mark the end of the day with the second annual ‘Rock4Ollie’, a community concert.
Since the first ‘Walk4Ollie’ in 2023, Paddy and his supporters have raised more than €130,000 in aid of MDI.
‘INCREDIBLY PROUD’
Speaking about the origin of the fundraiser, Paddy said: “When we started ‘Walk4Ollie’, we wanted to raise awareness of Bethlem Myopathy and help other families living with neuromuscular conditions; to have raised more than €130,000 over the last three years is something we are incredibly proud of, but seeing the impact of this is what makes it even more special.
“We are proud of the measurable impact that the Ollie Hickey Fund has for MDI members, as every donation is used to provide services, supports, equipment and even accessible experiences to people like Ollie who live with a neuromuscular condition; this mission is what drives the campaign every year.”
Paddy added: “We are asking people to get behind ‘Walk4Ollie’ again this year; you can join us for a leg of the walk, set up your own fundraiser, make a donation or simply share the message.”
He concluded: “Every bit of support helps us reach more people and continue creating opportunities for those living with neuromuscular conditions.”
Moreover, the CEO of MDI, Alan Breathnach CEO, asserted: “Behind every euro is a person who has been able to access something that supports their independence, participation or quality of life.”
He also said: “We are hugely grateful to Paddy, Ollie and the entire Hickey family, as well as everyone who has walked, donated, fundraised and helped spread the word over the past three years, and we hope that people will get behind ‘Walk4Ollie’ to help us continue this important work.”
WAYS TO SUPPORT
MDI also outlined three things that people can do in order to support ‘Walk4Ollie’ this year:
- Donate and help the Ollie Hickey Fund continue providing practical support
- Fundraise by taking part in Walk4Ollie or organising your own fundraising activity
- Raise awareness by sharing information about Walk4Ollie, Bethlem myopathy and the work of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland
People can also join Paddy for one of the seven legs.
Donations for ‘Walk4Ollie’ can be made on idonate.ie.
It has a €10,000 euro target.
‘Walk4Ollie’ will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Anyone seeking further information about the event can email [email protected].
Furthermore, anyone seeking more details about Bethlem Myopathy Muscular Dystrophy can click here.