Big-hearted Dublin mum to walk over 230km to raise money for impoverished children

A big-hearted mum is set to walk from Dublin to Knock in Co Mayo to raise money for a fantastic cause.

Deansgrange woman Orlagh Buckley will be making the 230km walk over the next nine or so days to fundraise for Mary's Meal — a charity that provides meals to over 2 million impoverished children in 20 countries. Orlagh told Dublin Live: "I've been doing the walk for the last four years but I've only ever done two or three days so this is my first time doing the whole walk. I’m really looking forward to doing the walk.

"It’s starting in seven different locations around Ireland and we all meet then in Knock." Orlagh said she's been preparing by taking short walks with her friends and family in her neighbourhood.

Read more: Dublin bikers organise journey to Wexford in aid of suicide prevention

This year marks 20 years since the founding of Mary's Meals and 10 years since they started doing the walks. Orlagh said she got involved with the charity after her son's school did a fundraising day with them.

She added: "Mary’s Meal charity feeds children of all faiths and none. So while it might be a religious destination in Knock we’re from every walk of life so we believe in the ethos of Mary's Meals which is about feeding the next hungry child."

(L-R) Aoife Martin, Fr Eamonn Kelly, and Orlagh Buckley (Orlagh Buckley)

Volunteers will be setting off from seven different locations across Ireland on Sunday for the charity walk. Mary's Meals Executive Director for Ireland, Patricia Friel said: "The rising cost of living is affecting us all, but it is always the most vulnerable who are hardest hit, so it’s very important that we keep our promise of a daily school meal to these little ones."

You can donate here to help Mary's Meals raise vital funds to feed disadvantaged children across the world.

Read next:

• Volunteers clean up 20kgs of dog poo in Wicklow village

• Ballymun man cycles to Killarney for charity after overcoming struggles

• Charlie Bird thanks public for lifting his spirits after 'amazing day'

• Family of 'miracle baby' appealing for help to give her the chance to walk

• Kindhearted Dublin doctor raises over €20k for young quadriplegic patient

Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.