Mayo man who walked to Rome for charity nominated for award

Mayo man Cathal Kelly has been nominated for the 'Most inspiring person' category of the national Outsider.ie awards.

The Swinford native announced the fantastic news via his social media accounts

Kelly walked the 2,200 Kilometer from Canterbury in England to Rome (with the help of a ferry over to France). On his journey he followed the so called Via Francigena, which is a pilgrimage route that led him through South England, France, Switzerland and down to the Vatican right onto St Peter Square.

VIDEO: Mayo man reaches Rome after 2,200km charity walk

Kelly wrote on his Facebook account: "I am delighted to be nominated for the upcoming Outsider.ie magazine awards in relation to walk from Canterbury to Rome in 2024. Over €73,000 was raised for Mayo Parkinson Association and Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin. You can vote for me in the audience Choice award Category by clicking this link and Voting for Cathal Kelly."

To vote for Cathal click here.

READ: Mayo man on charity walk to Rome says 'it's a humbling experience'

During his 2,200km walk, Cathal took donations that he eventually handed over in their entirety to two specific charities that he has a special personal connection with: 

"My twin sister Sarah died in Crumlin Children's Hospital on 9th July 1978 aged five months. Sarah was predeceased by our eldest sister Alice who died the previous year on 20th July 1977 also in Crumlin aged four 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" Cathal explained.

The other charity that he collected donations for is the Mayo Parkinson Association: "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."