Fergus Farrell has reached the half way point in his epic walk across America from New York to Los Angeles.
The Galway man made the half way point in Kansas and in what is a personal odyssey in partnership with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Spinal Injuries Ireland.
His goal is to raise $1 million for spinal cord injury care and inspire communities around the world.
Since setting off from the Brooklyn Bridge in August, Fergus has crossed through nine states, supported by the spinal injuries community, volunteer drivers, research advocates, family, and friends.
The second half of his journey will carry him over the Rocky Mountains, through the southwestern desert, and on to the California coast.
The initiative, said arelease by "Fergus Walks," is generously supported by Crown, an industry leader in full building envelope solutions, Supermacs, Navillus Contracting, O’Dwyer Safety Services, BTL, Nuix, Qilta, Orix Aviation, TapTalks, Rockit Oxygen, and JJ Rhatigan.
“This walk is about far more than the miles ahead,” said Fiona Bolger, CEO of Spinal Injuries Ireland.
“It is about raising awareness of spinal cord injury, inspiring others, and advancing our shared mission to expand access to resources and support new research around the world. We are so proud of what Fergus has accomplished so far, and what it’s done already for our community at large.”
Echo readers are aware of Fergus's story.
Motivational speaker and mental health advocate, Fergus is no stranger to monumental feats of endurance. After a 2018 injury left him with only a 5% chance of ever walking again, he went on to author Rebuilding a Man, a candid memoir exploring fear, self-doubt, and mental resilience.
Added the release: "His history of physical challenges includes walking across Ireland on the first anniversary of his accident, completing seven marathon distances on a rowing machine over seven consecutive days, attempting an Atlantic Ocean crossing, one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world, and completing four ultra-marathons across Ireland. Fergus Walks is his biggest challenge yet."
Said Fergus: “I can’t put into words how grateful I am to everyone who has been part of this journey so far. To the volunteers who’ve driven alongside me, the families who’ve welcomed me into their towns, the sponsors who made this possible, and everyone following along from home, thank you.
“Every message, every donation, and every person who’s walked a mile with me has kept me going. It’s more important now than ever that we rally for one another. We’re halfway there, and I’m carrying all of you with me the rest of the way to Santa Monica.”
