Heart transplant man Ron’s epic fundraiser

A man who underwent a heart transplant is to arrive in Co Antrim this week as part of an epic marathon walk all the way around the Irish coast.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Jul 2015, 08:00 BST
The journey begins as Steve Jacques, CEO of Key Assets International hands over the wrapped support car donated by Fostering First Ireland (FFI) to foster carers Ron and Carol Cummins. Pictured (l-r) Ron, Carol and Steve Jacques. INLT 30-687-CONThe journey begins as Steve Jacques, CEO of Key Assets International hands over the wrapped support car donated by Fostering First Ireland (FFI) to foster carers Ron and Carol Cummins. Pictured (l-r) Ron, Carol and Steve Jacques. INLT 30-687-CON
The journey begins as Steve Jacques, CEO of Key Assets International hands over the wrapped support car donated by Fostering First Ireland (FFI) to foster carers Ron and Carol Cummins. Pictured (l-r) Ron, Carol and Steve Jacques. INLT 30-687-CON

Having completed almost 1000km of his 2500km mammoth journey around Ireland, Ron Cummins will be spending two weeks walking along the Antrim coast raising funds and awareness for the Irish Heart and Lung Transplant Association.

Together with his wife Carol, Ron will be handing out donor cards and talking to people they meet about organ donation.

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For all 93 days of this challenge, the couple will be relying on the kindness of friends, family and total strangers as they seek places to stay along the route.

Ron set off from Salthill, Co. Galway on June 20 and is currently covering approximately 30km per day, walking the equivalent of 60 marathons over three months.

In July 1996, at just 38 years-old, Ron Cummins, then working as chef in Dublin, was given a fifty-fifty chance of living another six months unless he had a heart transplant.

Thankfully, he made it onto the transplant list and in September 1997, Ron received a new heart.

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In 2011, now living in Glenamaddy, Co Galway and wanting to give something back, Ron and his wife Carol became foster carers. Currently between fostering placements, their foster care agency Fostering First Ireland (FFI) is supporting them in their awareness-raising walk with the donation of a support car.

To find out more about Ron’s walk visit his page on the FFI website www.fosteringfirstireland.ie/ron-on-the-road/

To sponsor Ron, visit the MyCharity website www.mycharity.ie/event/ron_cumminss_walk_around_ireland

To offer Ron and Carol a room for the night, tweet Ron on @roncummins1138, phone Carol on 0864061217 or email Carol on [email protected]

Related topics:Ireland