Walk4Ollie will raise vital funds for MDI

A MEATH couple have walked the length of Carlow’s River Barrow as part of a 200km effort to raise awareness of the neuromuscular condition Bethlem Myopathy. The ‘Walk4Ollie’, organised by Paddy and Claire Hickey from Enfield, was inspired by the couple’s son Ollie, who was given the Bethlem Myopathy diagnosis when he was four years’ old. Bethlem Myopathy is a rare condition affecting the skeletal muscles and connective tissue. The whole idea for the fundraiser was driven by Ollie – first and foremost to raise awareness about the condition and secondly to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI).

Last year, the Hickeys walked from Castlebar, with the total amount raised by the walk and associated projects amounting to more than €45,000 for MDI. The Ollie Hickey Fund is used to support the personal circumstances of MDI members, such as education, the arts and general wellbeing. The couple wanted to make this year’s walk as accessible as possible and decided to venture the Waterford Greenway and River Barrow. Beginning in Dungarvan last Tuesday, they travelled to Waterford city, Graignamanagh, Carlow town and Monasterevin before making it home to Enfield on Saturday.

Speaking to The Nationalist before an early start from Carlow on Friday morning, Paddy said: “Some of the stuff we saw yesterday was just beautiful. It’s much nicer than walking on the road and softer on the legs, too,” he laughed.

The couple were joined by members of Claire’s family, the Haydens from Maganey, who offered great support.

Ollie, now aged nine, is “delighted” to have a fund in his name. Paddy said: “This is a pretty cool legacy to have. We won’t stop fundraising. We talk to him about it and show him pictures of how other people use the fund. It’s brilliant”.

To donate, check out www.idonate.ie/walk4ollie24.