Two sisters walk 625 miles for charity in memory of brother

Two sisters from Co Armagh are walking the 625-mile Ulster Way circuit to raise money in memory of their younger brother, who died at age 16
By Neve Wilkinson
Published 23rd Sep 2021, 14:21 BST
Ruth and Rachel Irwin are making their way along the Ulster WayRuth and Rachel Irwin are making their way along the Ulster Way
Ruth and Rachel Irwin are making their way along the Ulster Way

Ruth and Rachel Irwin along with Ruth’s fiance, Andrew, are raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young to commemorate five years since the passing of their brother, John, who died of sudden cardiac arrest four days after his 16th birthday.

Ruth said: “It is tough but enjoyable at the same time, because we’re walking around Northern Ireland and seeing the sites. Particularly the north coast was beautiful, we saw the Giants Causeway and the rope bridge. We are going to places we wouldn’t really go to.”

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The team are over half way along their route and have raised in excess of £3,000 for the charity that screens young people for heart conditions and supports families who have lost someone to sudden cardiac death.

They started at their home town of Tynan in early August and plan to walk 45-50 miles every weekend, until they finish back home in November.

They have already walked through the Sperrin mountains and along the north coast. This weekend they will be heading from Cushendun to Ballynure, on their route to Belfast.

The Facebook page, ‘A jaunt for John’, is set up so people can follow their journey with pictures, and find a link to the JustGiving page to donate.

Related topics:Northern Ireland