Irish man with scoliosis walking 86km while carrying oxygen tank in memory of late dad

• Author: Emma Nevin
• Published date: 22 June 2022
• Publication title: DublinLive (Ireland)

Gary Farrell, who is a founder of Scoliosis Ireland, is hoping to raise €5,000 for The Mater as his dad Peadar received treatment there up to his death last month. Peadar had Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis which caused him to rely on additional oxygen and he was on a lung transplant list

On July 19, Gary will begin walking 86km from The Mater to his family home in Offaly while carrying his dad's oxygen bottle on his back. Speaking to Dublin Live, Gary said his father received "fantastic care" and he wants to give back to the hospital.

He said: "He had been looked after in The Mater for the last couple of years and he was up there for four weeks before he passed away,. He was very familiar with the staff and nurses up there and they gave him great care before he passed away."

Gary will undertake the challenge next month and said fundraising has been "incredible" so far.

He added: "On July 19 I'm walking from The Mater to my dad's house in Offaly with his oxygen bottle on my bank. It's the equivalent of two back to back marathons. I have...