Kelly’s Walk 2 Rome
What motivates Kelly?
He will walk over 2200 km from Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy throughout the summer of 2024. Watch his video to find out.
A Message from Kelly!
In Summer 2024, I will take on the mammoth challenge of walking the ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury (UK) to Rome (Italy) known as the Via Francigena.
This is a route of over 2200 kilometres through the 5 countries of England, France, Switzerland, Italy and ending in the Vatican.
I will undertake this epic personal challenge to raise money for two Irish charities very close to my heart: Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin and Mayo Parkinson’s Assoc.
This trip is completely self-funded and all monies donated will be divided amongst both Charities.
Crumlin Children’s hospital will always hold a special and emotional place in my life and that of my family.
My twin sister Sarah died in Crumlin hospital on 9th July 1978 aged 5 months. Sarah was predeceased by our eldest sister Alice who died the previous year on 20th July 1977 also in Crumlin aged 4 years. Both of my sisters died from a disease called Wilson disease. Wilson disease is a rare disorder that causes liver damage. When talking with my parents about how I want to fundraise for Crumlin hospital in memory of Alice and Sarah they both expressed the wish that I fundraise for the area of research into children’s illnesses.
I strongly believe that research changes children’s lives and it is for that reason that I am fundraising for the National Children’s Research Centre (NCRC) in Crumlin and asking you for your support
In 2005 at the age of 57 my Father Charles was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. For many years after this, he was able to enjoy his life more or less unaffected. However over the last 5 years his life has become more affected by the disease and we as a family see very much the invaluable care and assistance that the Mayo Parkinson’s association offer to so many on a voluntary basis. This is why I am also fundraising for this organisation as I undertake my walk from Canterbury to Rome.
Cathal Kelly
Follow Kelly’s Journey
Guest Blog Joe Mellett, Swinford. ROMA or Bust
Guest Blog Joe Mellett, Swinford ROMA or Bust Below is an account from my great friend Joe Mellett who recently took the time to come out and jin me on my walk from Canterbury to Rome with another great friend Noel Smith, Joe & Noel joined me in Pavia on the...
Keep Going! Roma Beckons
Mu Journey to Rome Below is an account so far of my walk on the pilgrim path the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome More details on each of my walking stages are available on Strava, you can find me as Cathal Kelly or Kellys Walk 2 Rome My daily diary can be found...
Guest Blog Post From John Culhane Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Guest Blog John Culhane, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo Below is an account from my friend John Culhane from Ballinrobe who recently took the time to come out and jin me on my walk from Canterbury to Rome. John Joined Noel Smith, Joe Mellett and myself in Oria Litta on Thursday...
WHERE HAVE THOSE 2 MONTHS GONE! Blog post 5 Thursday 15th August 2024 in Martigny, Switzerland Since last Blog Post Bucey Le Gy(Sunday 28th July) to Martigny (Thurs 15th August) WHERE HAVE THE 2 MONTHS GONE! Departed Swinford Saturday 15th June Commenced walking...
My Rambling Thoughts 6 Weeks in!
Reims (Wednesday 10th July) to Bucey Le GY (Sunday 28th July) Departed Swinford Saturday 15th June Commenced walking from Canterbury. Sunday 16th June Today Sunday 28th July Bucey - Les- Gy Distance Walked 818.05 Kilometres I have really struggled to write this...
Revitalised In Reims
Lets Go Champ - Lets Win Today Blog Post 3 Briuay Le Bruissierre (Thursday 27th June) to Reims (Tuesday 9th July) Hi Everone, Welcome to my third blog post from my epic pilgrim 2200km walk from Canterbury to Rome, The Via Francigena (VF) in aid of Mayo Parkinson’s...
DIP YOUR CHICKEN NUGGET INTO YOUR SHAKE!
BLOG POST 2 WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE 2024 Welcome Back to Blog Post 2 Thanks for tuning in to my blog post again. I hope you enjoyed the first one and as I outlined in that I hope to post up these blog post regularly during my 2200km charity walk on the Via Francigena (VF)...
Goodbyes and Holy F**Ks! I’m going on a 2200KM Walk!
Kellys Walk 2 Rome Days 1-6. Hi Everyone First of all please let me start out by saying that I am extremely nervous writing this blog so I hope you bear with me. Popping up the daily posts on social media is easier compared to this as I hope this blog will be a more...
The Via Francigena in Sections
The Via Francigena - Sections SECTION 1 KENT, ENGLAND While much of Kent is within commuting distance of London, the county has a rural character and is proud of it’s nickname, The ‘Garden of England’. Rolling hills over a chalk substratum are the primary features and...
The Via Francigena
THE VIA FRANCIGENA This great cultural route of Europe extends around 2200 kilometres between Canterbury and Rome and passes through 5 countries - England, France, Switzerland, Italy and The Vatican State. It ranks with the greatest pilgrim paths of the world. THE VF...
Kelly’s Target
Walked
Period
Raised (Target)
Kelly’s Charities
Childrens Health Foundation Crumlin
“Every sick child deserves every chance.” — CMRF CRUMLINEach day children in the wards face their own challenges.
Your support will make a real difference to sick children every single day.
Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin, part of the Children’s Health Foundation family, is the new name for CMRF Crumlin- raising vital funds to support sick children and their families in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin (formerly Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin)-from funding life-saving equipment and providing essential patient and parental supports making ground breaking paediatric research possible.
CMRF (Children’s Medical and Research Foundation) Crumlin was originally set up to provide vital funding to paediatric research, which was and remains utterly underfunded. This is an area, which is considered a beacon of hope to hundreds of thousands of families who face weeks, months and often years of disruption and challenge due to childhood illness, disease or disability right across the world. Research is a global effort to find better treatments and cures, management and preventative strategies.
Mayo Parkinson’s Association
Parkinson’s disease (Parkinson’s) is a progressive neurological disorder, and is classified as a Movement Disorder, as it primarily affects movement. Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s.
Childrens Health Foundation Crumlin
“Every sick child deserves every chance.” — CMRF CRUMLINEach day children in the wards face their own challenges.
Your support will make a real difference to sick children every single day.
Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin, part of the Children’s Health Foundation family, is the new name for CMRF Crumlin- raising vital funds to support sick children and their families in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin (formerly Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin)-from funding life-saving equipment and providing essential patient and parental supports making ground breaking paediatric research possible.
CMRF (Children’s Medical and Research Foundation) Crumlin was originally set up to provide vital funding to paediatric research, which was and remains utterly underfunded. This is an area, which is considered a beacon of hope to hundreds of thousands of families who face weeks, months and often years of disruption and challenge due to childhood illness, disease or disability right across the world. Research is a global effort to find better treatments and cures, management and preventative strategies.
Mayo Parkinson’s Association
Parkinson’s disease (Parkinson’s) is a progressive neurological disorder, and is classified as a Movement Disorder, as it primarily affects movement. Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s.