Hugh O’Neill is walking the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for a sensory room for adults with learning disabilities in Orpington. As a thank you, some of the residents joined the walking challenge and clocked up an impressive 100 miles
The walking challenge will raise funds for a sensory room for Cabrini House, a home for adults with learning disabilities in Orpington run by the charity Diagrama. Residents from Cabrini House supported fundraiser Hugh O’Neill last week by completing an incredible 100 miles between them on a treadmill.
Recognition Express’ Hugh O’Neill, 57, began his challenge to walk 1000 miles in January and will need to walk 20 miles a week if he is to complete the walk by the end of the year. Hugh O’Neill, said, “I heard about the Diagrama Foundation through a networking group I belong to. The charity told us about Cabrini House wanting to create a sensory room to enrich the lives of their residents with learning disabilities and I decided I wanted to help. I initially set myself a fundraising target of £1,000, but only a few weeks in I have already reached that, so I would love to raise £2,500 in total.”
Marina Rubio, Residential Manager, Cabrini House, said, “A sensory room will help make the lives of our residents much easier, by giving them a space they can use, if life overwhelms or frustrates them. Our residents have shown their support and thanks to Hugh for all he is doing to raise the money we need for the sensory room, by clocking up an amazing 100 miles on the treadmill.”
Hugh continued, “Once I had decided to do something positive in these difficult times, I chose to walk so that as well as doing some good for a charity I could shift some holiday weight which I have been carrying since 1978 and improve my fitness before I hit my retirement years! I have already lost quite a few pounds and I am looking forward to reaching both my fundraising and weight loss targets.”
To help Hugh to open a sensory room, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hugh-o-neill1 and to find out more about Diagrama visit www.diagramafoundation.org.uk
