Fergus hits halfway on trek across America
A FORMER rugby player from Athenry has reached the halfway point of his journey to become the first person with a spinal injury to walk across America.
Eight years after being told he might never walk again, Fergus Farrell took the first steps of a 75-day challenge to walk from Brooklyn Bridge in New York to the Santa Monica Pier in California on August 22.
One of his many adventures and the biggest challenge since he suffered a spinal cord injury, the cross-country trek of 4,500 kilometres aims to raise €1million for spinal injury care.
So far, father of three, Fergus has walked 2,250 km, covering a marathon a day for 52 days to reach the halfway point of the Fergus Walks challenge.
He has crossed through nine states, while being supported by the spinal injuries community, volunteer drivers, research advocates, family and friends.
The second half of his journey will now bring him over the Rocky Mountains, through the southwestern desert and on to the California coast.
“I can’t put into words how grateful I am to everyone who has been part of this journey so far,” said Fergus.
He thanked every volunteer who has driven alongside him, the families who have welcomed him, the sponsors supporting the endeavour and others following his journey from afar.
“Every message, every donation, and every person who has walked a mile with me has kept me going. It’s more important now than ever that we rally for one another.
“We’re halfway there, and I’m carrying all of you with me the rest of the way to Santa Monica,” he added.
To accommodate the forecasted weather in Colorado this November, Fergus will have to adjust his route to adhere to safety recommendations for himself and his crew.
He will advance from the halfway point in Kansas to Colorado and complete that portion of the journey while temperatures remain amenable. He will then return to Kansas to complete the remaining miles.
This will allow Fergus to complete his projected goal, while protecting himself and the team traveling with him.
“This walk is about far more than the miles ahead,” said Fiona Bolger, CEO of Spinal Injuries Ireland.
“It is about raising awareness of spinal cord injury, inspiring others, and advancing our shared mission to expand access to resources and support new research around the world,” she added.