Write a commentThis Saturday Mayo native Eamonn Keaveney will arrive in Newry after completing well over 1000km walking barefoot around Ireland. It's in an effort to both break the Guinness World Record for longest barefoot journey and simultaneously to raise money for Pieta House Suicide and Self-Harm Crisis Centre. You can donate at https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/baring-my-soles/
At the very least if you see him on his journey give him a wave. Eamonn is camping out but If you can offer him a bed for the night when he is in Newry or give him a cuppa or let him charge his phone in your shop, all would be tremendously appreciated and no doubt would help get him rested for the next stage of his journey. If you would like to help in any way contact us at news@newry.ie and we can pass your details on.
Eamonn departed on his own from his hometown of Claremorris on the 1st of May and day 70 this Saturday will see him arrive in Newry en-route to Belfast and Donegal.
He is not permitted to wear shoes, socks, or even plasters on his feet while undertaking this challenge, unless he takes an official rest day. In any case, he hasn't even packed any footwear in his bag! He is also unable to accept lifts from the many kind and perplexed passerbys!
He hit the 1000km hallfway milestone at the end of day 51, and has raised over €12,200 euro to date.
Today Tuesday is Day 66, and you will find him walking from Maynooth to Ratoath. Tomorrow, he will walk to Bettystown. Thursday towards Dunleer; Friday onto Dundalk and then Saturday to Newry.
He will then continue up towards Belfast, around through Donegal, making his way back home to Claremorris.
Commenting on the monumental trek his sister Yvonne said "We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support he has received from strangers along the way. People who have heard about him on the radio, newspapers, websites and social media, and through word of mouth.
"At first, a lot of people didn't believe he would or could do it but now he has passed the halfway mark! We are extremely proud of our brother.
"Given that suicide and self-harm are issues that affect growing numbers of people, whether directly or indirectly, we all think that this a very worthy cause, and I know that the more people hear about it the better."
Pieta House is a non-profit organisation providing a specialised treatment programme for people who have suicidal ideation or who participate in self-harming behaviours.
You can follow his progress on his social media sites at the links below.
https://www.facebook.com/BaringMySoles
