Two lifelong friends and fathers originally from Keady and Blackwatertown have now reached Scotland in their extraordinary 1,000km+ charity walk from Essex to Armagh.
Having left Radwinter in Essex on July 4, the men – both in their 60th year – are walking unassisted across public footpaths and rights of way with backpacks and tents on their back.
They have already completed over 600km battling the blistering heat of England’s recent heatwave 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 have been 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 is expected to take around six weeks, with John and Eamonn aiming to arrive in Blackwatertown on or around August 14.
Now in Scotland, they will traverse Dumfries and Galloway on their way to Cairnryan to catch a ferry to Northern Ireland, where they will complete the final legs of the walk.
For the proverbial ‘Boys from the County Armagh’, the first three weeks of the journey proved even more challenging than anticipated, as they have had to walk for long periods in heatwave temperatures averaging around 35 degrees, carrying their 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 reaching Scotland, John said: “We knew this was going to be a huge physical challenge, but the heat during the first two weeks in particular has made it difficult. Walking long distances with a backpack in temperatures of around 35 degrees has been exhausting, and unfortunately, I became badly dehydrated and needed hospital treatment during the first week.
“Following wonderful support, we quickly got back on track and it is amazing to have now reached Scotland. The encouragement we have received from people at home and along the route has been incredible. Every donation, offer of somewhere to pitch our tent and word of support from those we meet on the road or online gives us another lift and reminds us why we are doing this.”
Eamonn added: “It has certainly been a tough few weeks marked by both blisters and blistering heat. Despite everything, we have now made it into Scotland, which is a significant milestone and the finish line is almost in sight. We remain completely focused on getting home to County Armagh and raising as much money and awareness as possible for two wonderful children’s charities that are special to us.”
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 are being encouraged to follow John and Eamonn’s progress on social media, share their story, donate where possible and cheer them on along the route.
Follow the walk on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homefromhome2026/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591536568598&locale=en_GB
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: www.kierfoundation.org/fundraisers/johngribbin/home-from-home
