And I will walk 7,000 miles
A 75 year old charity trekker is in Cork this week to continue his 7,000 mile walking challenge around Britain and Ireland.
Walking 15-20 miles a day, Brian Burnie has already covered over 3,800 miles around the coastlines of Britain and Ireland to highlight the need for free cancer patient transport.
Brian is taking on the challenge to promote his charity Daft as a Brush by walking the entire coastal path of Great Britain and Ireland within two years, with a converted double decker bus called Bluebell as his home.
Arriving in Skibbereen on Tuesday with wife Cheryl, Brian will begin the next stage of his walk today (Thursday), giving himself three days to reach Cork city.
“I’ve been so moved by how generous and kind the people are. I've walked some 3,000 miles, and without a shadow of a doubt the people of Ireland are in a super league,” Brian told the Cork Independent.
He added: “The walk has been absolutely stunning in Ireland. I never knew the Irish coast was so spectacular.
“I’m looking forward to the beautiful cliff walks in county Cork.”
In 2010 the former millionaire, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, gave his fortune away to start the Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care charity in Newcastle, UK.
The charity offers cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy cancer treatment free transport to and from hospital, providing more than 40,000 cancer patient journeys annually by a team of 350 volunteers.
Since arriving in Ireland in April, Brian has been meeting with hospitals around the country and has received some “unbelievable” responses to his proposal.
He said: “The Daft as a Brush concept has been really well received in Ireland. It doesn't make a difference whether it's Scotland, Ireland, Wales or England, it's the same issues that cancer patients have.
“The most stressful time that a patient goes through is not the chemotherapy or the radiotherapy treatment, but worrying how they're going to get to hospital on a daily basis. Our recent meeting at University Hospital Galway with oncologists and radiographers was so positive, I am very excited at the prospect of bringing the Daft as a Brush service to Ireland.”
In September 2018, Brian received an award from the UK Prime Minister in recognition of his outstanding charitable services.
Daft a Brush Cancer Patient Care offers staffed custom-made vehicles to transport outpatients, free of charge, to and from hospital. The service entails collecting and transporting patients in a safe and comfortable environment from where they are living to where they will be having their treatment.
Brian and Cheryl have been on the road since 5 March 2018, stopping along the way to get married on the Isle of Skye. The newlywed couple will celebrate their first wedding anniversary this month.
Cheryl Burnie, Brian’s wife, said: “Brian rarely complains but his challenge has been difficult. Poor weather can create unforgiving conditions. Walking 15-20 miles a day would be a testing trial for anyone, but Brian is coping with Parkinson’s disease.
“It is common to become easily tired during walking, even after short distances, but he is so determined to complete his 7,000 mile mission, I am so very proud of him.”