Carrickfergus man Lee Colligan taking on mammoth 2500km walk to raise awareness of M.E in tribute to his late brother

Lee Colligan started out from Kinsale, Co Cork on May 4, with his trip taking in the Wild Atlantic Way and, in the coming weeks, the Causeway Coastal Route.

He began the fundraising feat to raise money and awareness as a tribute to his brother Josh, who died in August 2023 with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E), also called chronic fatigue syndrome/CFS.

“Josh was very active; he loved the outdoors and camping, and he ran marathons and 5ks,” Lee said. “He was also funny, witty and loyal, and would have done anything for his friends and family.”

Shortly before he fell ill, Josh had planned to travel to Spain to walk the famous Camino de Santiago route.

“He never got to do the Camino, but I know walking the west coast of Ireland is something Josh would have loved to do,” Lee added.

The total trek will be roughly 2500km in length, with Lee walking around 40km a day for the two month duration of the challenge.

The Carrick man is self-funding the whole trip, with all the money raised going directly to his chosen charities Action for ME and the Irish ME/CFS Association through Josh’s “Much Loved” page at https://joshcolligan.muchloved.com/ and Lee’s “Idonate” page at https://www.idonate.ie/LeeColligan

Halfway point

As of June 5, Lee’s journey was almost at the halfway point, with his travels so far documented on the Instagram page @A_Walk_for_M.E.

There have been plenty of highlights along the way, with many people offering donations of a hotel bed for the night, or a meal. “The kindness of people has been incredible; I think once they see that you’re trying to do something good, they just really want to support you,” Lee said.

“The west coast is absolutely beautiful and walking it is just such a lovely way to travel. I did have a few injuries at the start, blisters and tendonitis, but my body is definitely adapting to it and to carrying the weight of my rucksack.”

Most of all, Lee’s journey continues to be inspired by his brother. “Josh battled severe M.E for six years; his health continued to deteriorate until he was completely bed-bound and entirely reliant on our family for his care. It was tough to see that first-hand. It affected his quality of life so badly that by the end he refused medical intervention, and passed away with M.E. in August last year,” Lee said.

"By doing the walk, I want to make Josh proud, but also raise much needed funding and awareness in the hope one day people don’t need to suffer with this devastating illness.”

Lee is due to reach Carrickfergus by mid-July, where the final stop on his epic trek will be Josh’s resting place at Victoria Cemetery.

M.E – about the condition

There are estimated to be around 250,000 people in the UK and Ireland suffering with M.E/CFS.

A complex and chronic medical condition that affects multiple body systems, it currently has no effective drug treatment and full recovery is rare.

Action for ME and the Irish ME/CFS Association both support people living with M.E and are helping conduct research into the debilitating illness.