Two lifelong friends from County Armagh are putting their best feet forward on an extraordinary 1,000km+ charity walk from Essex to Blackwatertown in aid of two children’s charities that are close to their hearts.
The proverbial ‘Boys from the County Armagh’ – John Gribbin, originally from Blackwatertown and now living in Essex, and Eamonn Donnelly from Keady but who lives in Austria – will set off on Saturday 4th July 2026 on their epic “Home from Home” challenge, walking with backpacks in tow from John’s current home in Essex to his family home in Blackwatertown, County Armagh.
The journey will cover just over 1,000km and is expected to take around six weeks, with the pair aiming to walk an average of 30km a day on public footpaths wherever possible. They hope to arrive in Blackwatertown on or around August 14.
The challenge will raise funds for two children’s charities that are especially important to them. John is walking in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital, where his eldest son was treated when he was born.
Meanwhile, Eamonn is walking in aid of 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.
For Eamonn, this is not the first time he has taken on an extreme walking challenge. In 2017, he along with an Austrian friend completed “The Long Walk Home”, a remarkable 2,500km-plus walk from his home in Austria back to his family home in Keady, raising funds and awareness for dementia research in memory of his late mother Margaret.
Now, almost a decade later, Eamonn is lacing up his boots again, this time alongside his good friend John who also turns 60 this year, for another deeply personal journey home.
Speaking about the undertaking and the significance of the walk back home to Armagh John said: “This idea of the walk has been germinating for some time, and 2026 felt like the right year to do it, with me turning 60 and my son turning 25. While both Eamonn and I have lived away from home for decades, inspired by the lyrics of the famous song we hope the walk will prove that ‘no matter where we wander through cities near or far, our heart’s at home in old Ireland in the County of Armagh.’
“The reason I’m doing it for Great Ormond Street Hospital is because they were there for our family when we needed them most after the birth of my son, and this is our way of giving something back. Taking on a 1,000km walk with my best mate is a huge challenge, but we know it is nothing compared to the hardship that many children and families face every day when illness or injury strikes.”
John Gribbin (left) and Eamonn Donnelly at the start of their 1000km+ charity walk from Essex to Blackwatertown in County Armagh in aid of two children’s charities.
Eamonn added: “Cancer Fund for Children was a wonderful support to Lucy, and her wider family after her brain tumour diagnosis back in 2020 and throughout her subsequent treatment. When a child becomes seriously ill, the impact is felt by the whole family, and having the support from this wonderful charity made a real difference. We hope to return the favour through this walk.
“I know from my previous long walk from Austria to Armagh that these challenges test you physically and mentally, but they also provide an opportunity to open up conversations, build support and help shine a light on causes that matter. This walk is about raising money, but it is also about raising awareness of the vital work both these important children’s charities do.”
Supporters are being encouraged to follow John and Eamonn’s progress on social media where their location and route can be tracked, share their story, cheer them on along the route and donate where possible. They will also welcome a bed for the night or failing that a place to safely pitch their tent to help them on their journey.
Donating through The Kier Foundation website is simple, fast and secure. All funds raised will be split 50/50 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 more for charity at no extra cost to the donor.
To donate, visit: https://www.kierfoundation.org/fundraisers/johngribbin/home-from-home
Follow the walk on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homefromhome2026/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591536568598&locale=en_GB
