Tullamore resident Norman's 132km walk to remember

by Navjyoti Dalal

A week ago, Tullamore hospital porter Norman Browne set off on the longest walk of his life to raise funds for hospice care - and to remember his late father.

The day before he was to start his walk from Offaly to Dublin, he noticed something uncanny. As he was watching a show on RTÉ, which covered stories of people battling cancer, Norman observed a cigarette smell.

“The sitting room windows were open, there was no one in the room, yet it was smelling of cigarette smoke. The whole thing felt like a blessing from my departed father,” shared Norman, who called his walk 'In The Footsteps Of Paddy'.

Guided by memories of his father, Norman covered the 132km distance from Shannon Harbour to Dublin in three days, between Friday and Sunday, May 22 to 24.

His goal was to raise funds for the Offaly Hospice Foundation and for Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross. It was at the latter facility that his father, Patrick, passed away in September after battling pancreatic cancer.

A Dublin man, Patrick spent the final two years of his life being looked after in hospice care, something his family appreciate and value greatly, and this motivated Norman to go the extra mile.

Norman's walk along the Grand Canal took in parts of Offaly and Kildare before culminating at Grand Canal Dock in the capital.

"The whole experience was unreal and emotional," he said. "People known and unknown showed up to support, friends and family rallied along, supplying food, cooking for everyone, walking to give you company. I am so thankful for all the support I received."

The walk began on a mild weathered Friday, when friends, colleagues and family members joined him.

"My sister and her family were with me throughout the journey. Her 13-year-old son even walked with me. My friends Dave, Olly (Oliver), Hilly, James, Joe, Mick, Ann and John were so fantastic.

"Hilly (a paramedic based in Athlone) brought his own a camper van, and made chicken and pasta for everyone, while Olly brought some refreshments, Lucozade, etc.

"James, who finished the walk in Ballycommon on the Friday evening, brought his family to meet me on Saturday morning in Daingean and wish me all the best,” recounted Norman.

While the journey was long and at times riddled with uneven ground, overgrown grass, and too much sun on the last day, pleasant surprises en route infused him with vigour and strength.

Norman shared how a patient in Tullamore hospital found out about him from a previous Offaly Independent article about the walk. He managed to reach out to Norman's sister and sent on good wishes along with some guidance and suggestions.

"The O'Donoghue family then met me at Colgan's Bridge in Edenderry,” recalled Norman.

The last day of the walk turned out to be the longest and also the hardest because of the soaring temperature. But he kept himself hydrated and also carried electrolyte tablets to help prevent dehydration. The journey ended on a high note with photos and jubilation.

"My daughter Isabel, my siblings and my sister's children finished with me in Grand Canal Dock and it was particularly important to us to call into Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross before we finished."

Afterwards, Norman told us, "I spent the day at a nice hotel in Dublin. I went to a pub that evening to unwind and also reflect on the walk. I was wearing the t-shirt which had info about the walk printed on it. The bartender, upon finding out, offered me Guinness on the house."

The preparation for this fundraiser, which has earned more than €8,100 so far, began in January. An iDonate fundraising page will remain open for donations until Father's Day on June 21.

"It was wonderful to be able to connect with so many people over the course of the journey," said Norman. "It's so important to support and advocate for hospice care because we never know when ourselves or our loved ones might need it."

Like his Dad, he has always enjoyed walks and being out in nature.

“But taking on a walk this long needs preparation and research. I began walking along the canal, familiarising myself with the way. While some paths are really good, some are not. It is good to prepare ahead,” said Norman, who said one of his takeaways from this journey was to not be afraid of embarking on challenges.

As he turns 50 next year, we might see him taking another grand walk.