Connor and Ian to walk 430 miles around Northern Ireland in 12 days to raise funds for veterans with PTSD - ‘A Big Dander Round Our Wee Country’

Connor Ferguson, 35, and Ian Reid, 34, will start their trek on May 27 at Parliament Buildings - cheered on by Arlene Foster - where they hope to finish 12 days later.

The pair are undertaking the challenge in partnership with Ards charity Beyond the Battlefield and to mark the Centenary of NI.

“During lockdown we decided we wanted to do something extraordinary that we can remember for the rest of our lives,” Connor said.

“I know six or seven veterans with PTSD that Beyond the Battlefield has helped during lockdown. The work they do is excellent and literally saves so many lives.

“Although we recently got our own Veterans Commissioner, the level of support for veterans in Northern Ireland falls so far behind what is available in GB.

“So we want to inspire people to come out and get behind us and help raise funds which will stay here to help people here who so badly need it.”

Beyond the Battlefield provides accredited counselling by and for veterans and often cares for NHS referrals.

Connor, who served four years with the Royal Irish and 12 with reserve forces, admits he has a head start in training as he normally walks ten miles a day as a postman. However this challenge will see them average 35 miles a day.

“We aim to walk 15 minutes a mile and where possible to run the flats and downhills at around nine minutes a mile with a 20lbs pack.”

On day three they also aim to conquer the seven largest peaks in the Mournes Mountains.

So far training is going well.

“We walked from Dundonald to Newcastle recently and it felt great!”

Beyond the Battlefield said it is a very challenging fundraiser for two men with full time jobs and young families. “Local councils, businesses and supporters are all getting behind them,” it said.

“We are asking individuals clubs and associations to fundraise to support them, while complying with pandemic restrictions. Our services are free but we rely on fundraising to survive.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/abigdanderaroundowc or direct via Beyond The Battlefield on [email protected] or tel 02891228389. The charity can also be contacted direct for support.

See also ‘A Big Dander Around Our Wee Country’ on Facebook for full details.

Big Dander Itinerary;-

May 27. Stormont to Portaferry

May 28. Portaferry to Newcastle

May 29. Mournes - Seven Peaks

May 30. Newcastle to Newry

May 31. Newry to Augher

June 1. Augher to Enniskillen

June 2. Enniskillen to Kesh

June 3. Kesh to Strabane

June 4. Strabane to Coleraine

June 5. Coleraine to Cushendall

June 7. Cushendall to Larne

June 8. Larne to Stormont

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor