200km charity walk in honour of Late Late Toy Show child to begin in Letterkenny
Walk4Ollie challenge will see parents walk from Letterkenny to Enfield
Parents of a young Meath boy who lives with Bethlem Myopathy Muscular Dystrophy will embark on a six-day, 200km walk beginning in Letterkenny and finishing in their hometown of Enfield, Meath.
Paddy and Claire Hickey, proud parents of Ollie, are taking on the challenge, which marks the third annual Walk4Ollie challenge, which begins on September 22, coinciding with Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month.
Ollie’s condition, Bethlem myopathy, is a rare condition affecting the skeletal muscles and connective tissue.
He has previously appeared on the Late Late Toy Show, showcasing his skills on the drums.
The Walk4Ollie initiative has raised over €85,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland’s (MDI) ‘Ollie Hickey Fund,’ which supports people across Ireland living with neuromuscular conditions. The goal for 2025 is to break €100,000.
In the two previous years, the challenges started off in Castlebar and Dungarvan, finishing in Enfield on both occasions.
Paddy said: “Ollie was the inspiration for this. He was the one who came up with the idea. Ollie was only three when he received his diagnosis.
“Our walk isn’t just for him, it’s to shine a light on Bethlem Myopathy and fuel the incredible work of MDI. All funds raised drive services and supports for people with neuromuscular conditions.”
Alan Breathnach, CEO of MDI, commented: “We are incredibly grateful to the Hickey family for their support and dedication.
“The Ollie Hickey Fund is used to support our members and enhance their quality of life. It has a significantly positive impact, and I’m delighted to see it return for a third year in a row.”
MDI supports individuals and families with information, family support, respite support, youth activities, transport, and the provision of assistive equipment.
If you would like to know more information about the cause, you can do so at https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/walk4ollie25