Walker reaches Newry on his 500 mile Cancer Fundraiser

Taking a stroll through Newry is no unusual thing but when it's part of a 500 mile fundraising walk it is quite an achievement.

Julian Goode from Essex was in town yesterday following his walk from Kilkeel to Newry and mid morning he was on his way again as he walked along the towpath towards Portadown. 

Diagnosed with Leukaemia in May 2019 Goode has been under the care of St Bartholomew's Hospital in London ever since, starting with three rounds of chemotherapy that summer. And he then received a stem cell transplant that November, with an anonymous donor having been found via the Anthony Nolan donor registry.

“It’s not too dramatic to say that without the amazing care I’ve received from the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Barts over the past three years, plus the donor found by Anthony Nolan, I wouldn’t be here now,” explained Goode who lives in Brentwood with his wife Claire and two teenage children, Emily and Nicholas.

His 'Really Goode Walk' hopes to raise at least £10,000 in the process for Barts Charity and Anthony Nolan.

Unfortunately he's having issues with shin splints in his left leg at present so he couldn't make it all the way to Portadown and had to take a bus from Poyntzpass and hopefully recover enough to complete the next stretch.

Speaking on his trip here Goode said  "I’ve really enjoyed Northern Ireland so far: everyone is so welcoming and friendly, the scenery has been great, and the food too!"

"I hope I can manage to continue on to Derry over the coming days, and then complete the England and Scotland legs of A Really Goode Walk.

 "Thanks to everyone in the Newry area for their support!"

You can donate towards his fundraiser at this link www.justgiving.com