Stephen’s long walk north

Stephen’s long walk north

13 May 2015

STEPHEN O’Hare faces a long walk home when he is ped off in Cork later this month to undertake a mammoth hike for the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.

Thirty eight year-old Stephen will speedup to five weeks making his way back to his Downpatrick home by foot to show this support for the local rescue team.

The 650 kilometre solo walk, which he has billed The Long Walk North, will take Stephen from Dursey Island in Cork to Malin Head in County Donegal.

Although he is a keen walker and blogger through the website hikersblog.co uk, Stephen admits the scale of his journey is unchartered territory for him.

Planning to meet family and friends en route to help break the monotony of weeks of walking, he will carry a tent for overnight camping and also plans to stay in hostels where available.

He said the walk is a personal challenge he is keen to attempt, while raising money for the rescue team, which he believes is becoming more needed every year as more people discover the Mourne mountains.

“The mountains are so busy with hill walkers and children undertaking Duke of Edinburgh awards,” said Stephen.

“Volunteers with the Mourne Mountain Rescue Service are available 365 days per year and I have 

friends who have benefitted from the service.

“One was an experienced walker who went into a hole and snapped his ankle. Walkers in the mountains are so dependant on the volunteers within the service whenever they get into difficulty.

“I also like the fact that any money I raise will go directly to help people. There are no highly paid chief executives taking money away from the valuable service on the ground, which appeals to me.”

Stephen aims to raise at least £2,000 for the rescue team. 

Anyone who would like to contribute may do so via his Just Giving page (https://www.justgiving.com/Stephen-O-Hare1/ or via Facebook.