‘Boys from County Armagh’ Complete their Epic 1000km+ ‘Home from Home’ charity walk from Essex to Armagh raising funds for two children’s charities
Two lifelong friends and fathers originally from County Armagh in Northern Ireland have today completed an extraordinary 1,000km+ charity walk from Essex to Armagh to raise money for two children’s charities that are special to them and their families.
Having left Radwinter in Essex on 4th July, the men (59 and 60) have walked largely unassisted across public footpaths and rights of way with backpacks and tents on their back. In doing so over the last 5-6 weeks they have battled the blistering heat of England’s recent heatwave, heavy rain in Scotland and a series of blisters on their feet. One of them, has even had to spend a day in hospital on a fluid drip as treatment for dehydration, due to the unprecedented temperatures they were walking in.
John Gribbin, originally from Blackwatertown and now living in Essex, and Eamonn Donnelly, from Keady but now living in Graz in Austria, set off on their “Home from Home” challenge to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Cancer Fund for Children. The entire journey was completed in less than six weeks, with John and Eamonn arriving at John’s home in Blackwatertown on 12th August.
For the proverbial “Boys from the County Armagh” the first three weeks of the journey proved even more challenging than anticipated, as they walked for long periods in heatwave temperatures averaging around 35 degrees, carrying backpacks and covering an average of 30km each day. The extreme conditions took their toll in the first week when John became seriously dehydrated and had to spend a day in Peterborough hospital to receive treatment.
Speaking after completing the challenge, John said:
“We knew this was going to be a huge physical challenge, but the heat during the first two to three weeks in particular made it difficult. Walking long distances with a backpack in temperatures of around 35 degrees was exhausting, but we very quickly adapted our approach and got back on track, so much so that we finished earlier than initially anticipated. It is amazing to have now reached the end of our journey and to arrive home in Blackwatertown to be welcomed by family and friends. The encouragement we have received from people at home and along the route has been truly incredible and made this an unforgettable experience. Every donation to the charities, and word of support from those we met on the road or online gave us a huge lift and reminded us why we are doing this.”
Eamonn added:
“It has certainly been a challenging thing to do especially through the recent heatwave across England, but we kept each other going through the difficult times. We are so pleased to finally get home to County Armagh and in doing so raise as much money and awareness as possible for two wonderful charities that are special to us and our families.
“In the hardest days, we just reminded ourselves that we were walking for children and families who have faced challenges far greater than anything we experienced on this journey and that thought continued to drive us forward.”
The challenge is raising funds for two children’s charities that are especially important to both families. John is walking in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital, where his eldest son received treatment after he was born. Eamonn is walking for the Northern Ireland-headquartered Cancer Fund for Children, which supported his niece Lucy and her family after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020.
Supporters were able to follow John and Eamonn’s progress on social media, share their story and donate to the charity fundraising efforts. Donations are still welcome and details can be found on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homefromhome2026/
Donating through The Kier Foundation website is simple, fast and secure. All funds raised will be split equally between Great Ormond Street Hospital and Cancer Fund for Children. Gift Aid will also be claimed on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer, raising additional funds at no extra cost to the donor.
To donate, visit: