Taking On The Camino For MS Ireland

Marion & Jon Pierce hit the trail…

here’s something about the Camino walk that brings out the very best in people…

The sense of being on a pilgrimage helps, of course.

For Kilcoole native Jonathan Pierce, hitting the Camino de Santiago de Compostela with his 80-year-old mum, Marion, is certainly far more than just a major stretch of the legs.

The duo are taking on Europe’s most famous trail to help raise money for MS Ireland, with over €1,000 already donated before they strap on their boots next Monday.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to walk the Camino,” says Jonathan, “and we actually started this journey by taking on the Celtic Camino in Dublin last November. That was 30.2km, which was basically a wonderful warm-up for the upcoming 117.56km, as we continue on from Tui in Portugal on April 17th and arrive at Santiago in Spain on the 23rd…”

It was after been given a potential diagnosis of MS a few years ago – later getting the all-clear – that Jonathan realised just how important the MS Society of Ireland are. Multiple Sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological disease amongst young people in Ireland, with over 9,000 people coping with MS. For people living with the condition there is still no known cure, but MS Ireland has already made a positive impact on their lives by providing practical support through services like physiotherapy classes, one-to-one community support and respite care.

“With people’s support on this walk,” says Jon, “we can really make a difference. So MS Ireland can continue to make a huge difference for so many people out there…”

Here’s hoping Jon brings along his camera too, given his Greystones Rocks beauties of recent years. One can only imagine what the man could do with actual sunlight.

In the meantime, you can donate to this mother and son Camino charity challenge right here.