On Sunday, April 25, 2021, Alan Brogan, former Dublin Gaelic footballer, and three-time All-Ireland medal winner will be ‘Walking with Hope’ to raise funds for marginalized Irish emigrants.  He will be joined by Father Paul Ward and they will begin at midday from the Papal Cross in Phoenix Park, Dublin.  The fundraising walk is in support of the work of the Irish Chaplaincy in London and to raise awareness of the plight of the elderly Irish in Britain, whether living alone, in care homes, or in prison.

Alan said, “I am looking forward to my ‘Walk with Hope’ in support of the unheralded but vital work undertaken by the Irish Chaplaincy in London.  For over sixty years the Chaplaincy has reached out to the dispossessed Irish who emigrated to the UK for employment and who today exist on the margins: the elderly Irish, Travellers, and prisoners. Many of my generation were born to Irish emigrants in the UK and we owe it to all of them to demonstrate our support at this vulnerable time in their lives.”

Ahead of Alan undertaking his five-kilometer walk in Phoenix Park on Sunday, two groups of six have set off from Sacred Heart Church in Kilburn, North London, to walk nine miles via Wormwood Scrubs prison and on to the Irish Embassy to be greeted by the Irish Ambassador to the UK, Mr. Adrian O’Neill.  Belfast-born Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster Paul McAleenan is leading another walk from Westminster Cathedral to Westminster Abbey.

A special song for the event 500 Miles with Hope, a re-make of The Proclaimers classic, has been recorded by, amongst others, the children of Holy Family Catholic Primary School in West London.  The pupils themselves will be walking a combined total of 500 miles (804 kilometers) around the playground!

To support this initiative please see www.irishchaplaincy.org.uk and on Twitter @IrishChaplaincy