My Activity Tracking
849
kms
My target 1000 kms
Thanks for visiting my page
My mate, Eamonn Donnelly, and I have hatched a plan to raise some money and awareness for two charities of particular relevance to us, namely Great Ormond Street, where my oldest son was treated when he was born, and Cancer Fund for Children, who were a great support when my friend’s niece suffered from the disease a few years ago. The idea of giving something back to these causes has been germinating for some time and 2026 seems like the right year with my son turning 25 and me turning 60.
Our plan is to complete a 1000km hike from my home in Essex to my family home in County Armagh, Ireland – ‘Home from Home’. Walking about 30km per day on public footpaths wherever possible, it will take us about 6 weeks to complete; we will be setting out on 4th July 2026 and hope to arrive at my family home on or around 14th August.
Donating through The Kier Foundation is simple, fast and totally secure. All funds raised will be split 50/50 with Great Ormond Street and Cancer Fund for Children. Gift Aid will be claimed on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer, raising more for charity at no extra cost to you.
My Updates
Home From Home 2026 Links to follow us on..
Friday 3rd Jul Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/share/1cxvzmXnjm/Thank you to my Sponsors
£500
Derwent London
£500
Morrow Communications
Well done to the 'Boys from County Armagh' - what an achievement for two very worthy causes - one of which is very close to our hearts in here. Now put your feet up for a while!
£250
Peter Gilbert
Good Luck John and Eamon it wont be easy but a great couple of charities you are supporting, what an amazing way to celebrate your big birthday!. All the best from Pete and all at AWJ.
£200
Dearbhail Kelly
Good luck Eamon & John. Hope it cools down for you.
£200
Grace
Wonderful way to mark becoming a sexagenarian and to support GOS…. Wishing you good weather and lots of stamina. X
£200
Atlantic Contracts
A fantastic effort for two charities that make such a difference — well done and enjoy every step of the adventure.
£200
Welcome Party At Blackwatertown
Well done lads - really impressive effort for two great causes. Feet up for a while!
£200
Geraldine Mckeever
£200
Gerry And Margaret Mcgleenan
£200
Grangewood Brickwork Services Ltd
Good Luck from all at Grangewood Brickwork
£100
Graham Potts
Turned out that Ryanair was still too expensive then? Look forward to the updates John - what a special thing to do!
£100
Lucy Gribbin
Good luck John and Eamon!!! We are with you in spirit!!! From all at Tullygarran. Xxx
£100
Martin, John And Theresa
Good luck on your walk, a very good cause. Our cousin Frances Barrett tipped us off. 😃👍
£100
Roisin Donnelly
Fantastic work boys. Wishing you both all the best of Luck Roisin
£100
Anonymous
£100
Geardine Mckeever
£100
Anninger The Runner
£100
Frank Donnelly
£100
Vgv Facades
Best wishes from the VGV Facades team!
£100
Neil Franklin
Nice one ❣️ 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
£100
Tony & Frances Barrett
So happy that we were able to follow you for all of the 1000km You did amazingly well - so proud of you both
£100
Orlagh
Good luck John and Eamonn. You are smashing this challenge!
£75
Bernie And Gerry
Great job and a big adventure for you both! Good luck
£75
Jack
Congrats!
£75
Chestnuts Childcare
£50
John Mac Oscar
Good luck on rest of your journey John&Eamonn
£50
Ann & Jon Barraclough
Happy belated Birthday, John. Looking forward to hearing all about the big walk. Great cause.
£50
Anonymous
Go n-éirí an bóthar libh.
£50
Ross White
Good luck John, just keep putting one foot infront of the other and you’ll be done in no time 😊
£50
Ryan Mccann
Brilliant challenge John and Eamonn, and best of luck, although you should be half way through as I’m typing this!!
£50
Kieran Donnelly & Family
Best of luck Eamonn and John. I know Cancer Fund For Children will very much appreciate the efforts. Hope the blisters are kind to you!
£50
Brian Conway
Well done! What a great thing to do, enjoy the walk!
£50
Paul Donaghy
£50
Paul Donaghy
£50
Catherine Aygen
Mum just told me about your walk - well done that’s quite a way to go in the heatwaves!
£50
Jas Dhami
Good luck John! What a great way of raising money for 2 great charities. See you soon for sure. Kindest regards, Jas Dhami
£50
Patricia Quinlin
Good luck to you, John & Eamon-such a great thing that you’re doing to help others!
£50
Isabelle Crossan
Good luck lads! 👍
£50
John Mcgleenan
£50
Frances Barrett - Your Big Sis
Behind you all the way John G …. In the van 👍 wishing you and Eamon every success Good luck
£50
Anonymous
£50
Zoe, Rob, Rhea, Thebe
Really well done and Happy Birthdays
£50
Nicky
Fantastic thing to be doing, for really great causes … good luck to you both x
£50
Lynn And Chris Lipscomb
Amazing achievement. We have loved following you along your journey. Really well done both.
£50
Eamon Cush
Well done, great effort, Some pub crawl !
£50
Fujitec Uk Ltd
From all at Fujitec all the best for the event – Great Cause
£50
Anonymous
£50
James Gribbin
£50
Linda Daly
Good luck on your journey A very worthwhile cause
£50
Joe Skilton
Best of luck John. I hope it doesn’t rain on you too much. And it’s not too hot either!
£50
Alan Wilson
Told you , you would smash it. Well done again John a huge achievement. Sure you will need a rest now
£50
Sharon Martin
Well done from the Martin Family, Eglish (friends of Frances Barrett)
£50
Synnova O'gorman
£50
Kim Griffin
Good luck John. I hope you and your friend have a pint of cold beer at the end of the long walk. Such good charities to be raising money for. 😃
£50
Steve Rolinson
Good luck John - wishing you all the best. A great challenge for a great cause!
£50
David Rowsell
John, Ever since you mentioned this awesome challenge all those months ago, I’ve been excited for you. Whilst raising money for some special charities. All the best!
£50
Alistair Stclair Smith
Can’t imagine the blisters… incredible challenge and what a pub crawl… best of luck John.
£50
Kieran & Marie Kelly
Congratulations John and Eamon - on such an undertaking!!!
£50
Jess Barlow
Good luck John! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
£50
Simon Murray
That's a proper walk! Have fun
£50
Alan Wilson
The very best of luck John sure you will smash it.
£50
Anonymous
£50
Annabelle Hall
I hope you’re enjoying the experience!
£50
Thomas Walker
Met these two in a valley outside Hebden Bridge yesterday. Great effort for a good cause.
£50
Spyros Demetriou
Best of luck John and great charities.. Most of all enjoy the experience.
£40
Sheila Quinlin & Willie Cone
What a wonderful idea (and causes) John. We were just in the Moy and saw much of the family. Sorry we won't be there when you two finish. Our great grandfather Finn was dear friends with a Donnelly (Bernard?). Any chance Eamonn is related? Best of luck to you both. xx Sheila & Willie
£40
Eimear Gribbin
Well done John and Eamon- massive achievement and for a great cause 😊🎉🙌
£40
Ciaran Grimes
Well Done 👏
£40
Mickey & Mary Grimes
Well Done 👏
£40
Peter Gribbin And Rachael
£40
George Wier
£40
Anonymous
£35
Wayne Stathakis
John - wishing you all the best on the walk.
£30
Michael & Christine Fegan
Good luck John! See you in Drumcullen!
£30
Eva, Ardent Admirer Of Boxty
I wish you all the best
£30
Liz Barrett
Well done John & Eamonn You kept me going too
£30
Erin Donnelly
£30
Edel Barrett
A huge well done John and Eamonn!
£30
Melissa Traynor And Family
Well done 👏
£30
Eilish From Eglish
£30
Catherine O’riordan
Great effort for two great charities John. Good luck to both you and Eamonn. You’ll have to walk to North London to see us after…. ! Love to all the family. Cathy xx
£30
Shaun Connolly
Good luck John
£25
Pete (runner You Met Near Cowling).
All the best chaps. I hope that pub was open in Cowling!
£25
Magdalena Frickel
£25
Shane Mullan
Good luck John! 👍🏻
£25
Ruth Ship
Good luck John! Enjoy your adventure.
£25
Maeve Donnelly
£25
Anonymous
£25
The Lists X
Good luck to you both - we are looking forward to the updates.
£25
Thomas Morgan
£25
Andy Currie
£25
Carole Mcgrath
£25
Samual Cox
Good luck John
£25
Davina Mcallister
Best wishes amazing
£25
Anonymous
£25
Amy Barrett And Jack Mullan
Good Luck John and Eamon
£25
Lois Frost
AMAZING!!! Well done guys
£25
Amanda And Peter Pennick
What an incredible task… good luck to you both. Super charities!!! 🍀🤞
£25
Glenn Murphy
£25
Conor Gribbin
£25
Paul Miles
Good luck, great hospital. My son spent some time there in his early years, the staff were amazing.
£25
Tim Lane
Best of luck and happy birthday John! Amazing cause. Hope the feet don’t hurt too much. I’m sure Sam will be happy to massage them…
£25
Ciarán
Good luck!! 🍻🇮🇪🍀
£25
Joan Barrett Waychunas
Well done John & Eamonn im sure you guys happy to see Blackwater Town, amazing journey for 2 great causes.
£25
Diane And Gregory Daly
Wishing you good luck John as you embark on this challenge for such wonderful causes. Gregory and Diane Daly
£25
Stuart Jones
Hope that you enjoy the adventure and keep going its only a bit of pain
£25
Gary Aboro
John good luck! a very worthy cause close to my heart.
£25
Cameron Serridge
£25
Simon Brewster
Good Luck John.
£25
Justin Willison
'All the best on this epic adventure!'
£25
Laura & Rob Brereton
Good Luck!!!
£25
Steve Quarmby
Good luck! Experience of a lifetime.
£25
Andrew Jenkins
Good Luck John
£25
Paul Walsh
Sorry i could not do the Cambridge Bit. Would not make it in current state.
£25
Matt Crane
What a great challenge and all for amazing charities. I hope that you enjoy the walk!
£25
Martin Reilly
Good luck John
£25
Paul West
£25
Carl Saich
£25
Harry West
Hope the conditions are kind to you, Good luck John
£25
Tobin Graves
Good luck John!
£25
Joanne Byrne
Wishing you both the very best of luck in your challenge!
£25
Joe Bearman
Best of luck John!
£20
Gerard Lenehan
Fantastic journey for both lads and a wonderful gesture for the charities. Good luck on your trek.
£20
Roma G-m
What a journey and great cause - best of luck!
£20
Laura Nash
Best of luck! Two amazing charities- they will be grateful for every step!
£20
Andy Kirkpatrick, Lochinver Hotel
£20
Mairead Mckevitt
Good luck
£20
Anna & Malachy Mccann
Well done John - good luck with your endeavours
£20
Pat Devlin
£20
Anna Mccabe
£20
Caoimhe Mccafferty
£20
Clare Daly
Well done to you both! Amazing achievement for amazing charities
£20
Marty At The Bottle
£20
Gribkins
Going great boys
£20
David England
£20
Maeve & Ryan Fegan
Fantastic achievement John & Eamonn 💪💪🚶♂️🚶♂️
£20
Sean & Joan Farley
Fantastic achievement
£20
Ilona Szram
All the best in your journey!
£20
Sam Homans
Good luck John 🍀🇮🇪
£20
Mark Terence Rance
£20
Dean Probert
Good luck John
£20
Martina Campbell
Good luck on your trip and safe travelling
£15
Fionnuala
Major respect Well done
£13
Anonymous
Congratulations guys fantastic achievement, it’s been brilliant watching the updates. 🙌🤩🇮🇪
£12
Gribkins
£12
Gribkins
Keep it up boys - England and Scotland nearly done ✔️
£12
Gribkins
Completed it! You did incredibly well!
£10
Trevor Lund
Just a little donation to help motivate you further. May the sun continue to shine and may your blisters be few!
£10
Jo Benson
£10
Jenny Brabazon
Well done John. Sarah sent me the article from the Ulster Gazette. Hope the rest of the walk goes well.
£10
Lydia
Good luck, nice to meet you in The White Horse
£10
Stephanie Hughes
Good luck
£10
Ken And Lesley
£10
Scott Goacher
Good luck, God's speed!
£10
Tina Dodds, Loughside Tavern
£10
Gill Ford
Good luck on your homeward journey. Our grandson has recently been discharged from GOSH and we are grateful for the care he received.
£10
Janet Baker, Lochinver Hotel
£10
Anne Mcaleese (mcgleenan)
Good luck on your walk
£10
Anonymous
£10
Judith Hegan
A fantastic challenge!
£10
Anonymous
£10
The Little Gallery
Well done from The Little Gallery
£10
Damon Knipe
Well done lads
£10
Jayne
Good luck. Jayne from the river bank in Hoveringham.
£10
Christian Oberreiter
£10
Dan Brown
£10
Wendy
Good luck, John - from Wendy
£10
Anonymous
£8
Gribkins
Day 16 and 17! Great radio interview again today!
£8
Gribkins
Day 21 and 22
£8
Gribkins
£8
Gribkins
Day 12 and 13 🚶 🚶
£5
Chris Bell, Dent
£5
Billy Watrat, Loughside Tavern
£5
Jim Smith, Loughside Tavern
£5
Ann Williams
Good luck!
£5
Alex The Uber Driver
£5
Jessica Sturtivant
Good luck! From Jess and Sean from The Beehive
£5
Emma Barronwell
£4
Gribkins
Day one done ✔️ 👏
£4
Gribkins
Day two too xxxx
£4
Gribkins
Day 23 made it to Scotland!
£4
Gribkins
Day 3!
£4
Sarah Rudkin
Day 4 - a long one today!
£4
Gribkins
£4
Gribkins
£4
Gribkins
£4
Gribkins
Day 11 walking? 12? Losing track! :)
£4
Gabriel Gribbin
£4
Gribkins
Day 15 xx
