Lee Colligan started out from Kinsale, Co Cork on May 4, with his trip taking in the Wild Atlantic Way and, in the coming weeks, the Causeway Coastal Route. He began the fundraising feat to raise money and awareness as a tribute to his brother Josh, who died in August 2023 with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E), also called chronic fatigue syndrome/CFS.
Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. “Josh was very active; he loved the outdoors and camping, and he ran marathons and 5ks,” Lee said. “He was also funny, witty and loyal, and would have done anything for his friends and family.
” Shortly before he fell ill, Josh had planned to travel to Spain to walk the famous Camino de Santiago route. “He never got to do the Camino, but I know walking the west coast of Ireland is something Josh would have loved to do,” Lee added. The total trek will be roughly 2500km in length, with Lee walking around 40km a day for the two month duration of the challenge.
Advertisement Advertisement The Carrick man is self-funding the whole trip, with all the money raised going directly to his chosen charities Action for ME and the Irish ME/CFS Association through Josh’s “Much Loved” page at https://joshcolligan.muchloved.com/ and Lee’s “Idonate” page at https://www.
idonate.ie/LeeColligan Halfway point As of June 5, Lee’s journey was almost at the halfway point.