By Lisa Ramsden
A BALLYMARTIN man managed to walk an amazing 74 miles in just 24 hours at the weekend in aid of local charity, The Well. Having raised over £8,000, and with donations still coming in, Noel Kerr said he will be forever grateful to those who managed to support his efforts and raise such an amount, which he is certain will be life-changing.
For his ‘One Man, One Field’ challenge, Noel set off at 8am on Saturday and didn’t stop walking laps at Páirc Cois na Farraige until 8am the following morning. He covered a staggering 74 miles – taking in an incredible 144,000 steps – as part of the exhaustive effort, some of which, as the event began to take its toll on his body, saw him opting to walk minus footwear.
Admitting that he is “pretty sore” after his endeavours, Noel said that despite the aches and pains he is hoping to make it to training at Ballymartin GAC, where he is a senior footballer, this very evening!
The Well offers a range of services to support mental health and emotional wellness. When he decided to embark on this challenge in aid of the charity, Noel hoped not only to see much-needed funds raised. He also wanted to promote its work in Mourne and encourage people to reach out and seek support if they need it.
It has been a deeply personal challenge for local dad Noel, who explained The Well provided him with invaluable support earlier this year when he had his own struggles. Describing himself as “an open book” and “a supporter for life” of The Well, Noel said: “I know how hard it can be to reach out for help, and that’s why I came up with this.
“I suppose you could say it’s my way of trying to give something back and to help others who might be going through their own tough times.” He said every step taken was a reminder “that no-one has to face their battles alone,” and added that his supporters, who changed with every hour and walked alongside him, also played an invaluable role.
“I owe The Well a lot, and to be able to do something and raise money that I know will be put to use in our community is important to me,” Noel continued. He explained that he had hoped to reach £2,000 but never once did he think he would raise more than four times that.
He said that the sleep deprivation was a lot to contend with, but every word of encouragement, pound donated, and knowing why he was doing this, spurred him on, one step at a time. He added that crossing the finish line at 8am on Sunday was memorable, and he was filled with a real sense of achievement.
However, Noel was quick to point out that none of this would have been possible without the support of his family, friends, and clubmates, along with people he has got to know through his work – with some even travelling from as far as Dublin to make their donations and cheer him on.
“It’s only starting to fully hit me now. “People say I should be proud of what I completed, but that’s not how I think. “I am proud of the team at The Well, and everyone who has helped raise this amazing amount,” he continued.
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