Twenty-one-year-old Samuel Attwell has completed an extraordinary 10-day run from the very top to the bottom of Ireland, becoming possibly the youngest person to achieve the feat, while raising more than £50,000 for Warwick children’s charity Molly Ollys, with donations still continuing to climb.
In a feat attempted by very few solo runners, Samuel, from Redditch, spent ten consecutive days covering vast stretches of rural Ireland, battling harsh weather, fatigue, and unforgiving terrain – for 350 miles!
Setting off from Malin Head in County Donegal, he ran to Mizen Head in County Cork, covering hundreds of miles through Donegal, Derry, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary, Limerick and Cork. Along the way he was met with incredible support from local communities, helping push fundraising beyond his original £50,000 target.
Samuel undertook the challenge in support of Molly Ollys, a Warwick-based charity that also delivers vital support across Ireland, including providing its Olly The Brave books to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, alongside granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Samuel is also an ambassador for the charity, which provides vital emotional support to seriously ill children and their families.
His determination is deeply rooted in his own personal loss. Having lost his grandmother to cancer, and then, devastatingly, his best friend who passed away at just 18 years old, these experiences ignited a drive in him that goes far beyond sport.
Speaking after completing the challenge, Samuel said: “I feel absolutely euphoric. This has been the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but knowing it was all for Molly Ollys kept me going every single day. To raise over £50,000, and to see donations still coming in, is incredible.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who supported me. To do this for such an amazing charity and the children and families they help means everything.”
Funds raised from the challenge could help grant up to 100 wishes for seriously ill children, as well as provide vital comfort and support to families during incredibly tough times.
Oakland International Co-Founders and Samuel’s parents, Sallie and Dean Attwell, added: “We are immensely proud of Samuel and all he has achieved.
“To take on a challenge of this scale, and complete it with such determination, resilience and heart, is truly inspiring particularly as he has done it in support of Molly Ollys, a charity making such a meaningful difference to children and families, makes this achievement even more special.”
While the challenge is complete, donations remain open, with additional funds helping Molly Ollys continue its vital work supporting children and families across the UK and Ireland.
To donate, visit HERE.
Molly Ollys was established in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw, from Warwick, following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.
The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing wishes, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.
The therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.
Rachel said: “I don’t think any of us fully realised the enormity of the task Samuel was undertaking, to go out day after day when your body is sore, the weather is against you, and you are exhausted is certainly a challenge.
“Samuel has done so well, and we are so proud of him and honoured to have him as our Young Ambassador. A huge ‘Well done’ from All the Team at Molly Ollys.”
Samuel set off embark from the northernmost tip of Ireland on May 18th to its southernmost point – completing the route on 27th May.
Daily Route Breakdown:
- Day 1: Malin Head → Derry — 52km
- Day 2: Derry → Baragh — 68km
- Day 3: Baragh → Ballinamore — 52km
- Day 4: Ballinamore → Ballymahon — 61km
- Day 5: Ballymahon → Banagher — 48km
- Day 6: Banagher → Nenagh — 42km
- Day 7: Nenagh → Bruff — 55km
- Day 8: Bruff → Millstreet — 70km
- Day 9: Millstreet → Kealkill — 55km
- Day 10: Kealkill → Mizen Head — 55km
ABOUT MOLLY OLLYS:
Throughout the 15 years Molly Ollys has been running, it has raised more than £5 million; granted more than 4,300 wishes; supported more than 19,500 children and distributed more than 20,000 Olly The Brave books to more than 70 hospitals.
The charity works alongside the NHS to support projects within the hospitals and the community. One key project was the creation and refurbishment of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This is a safe and non-clinical space where medical teams and families can have important discussions.
Molly Ollys is also responsible for funding the first ever consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, in 2018 and further provided funding for two more consultants, doubling the number of existing roles in the region.
Molly Ollys need the support of companies and individuals to enable them to help more children. They welcome the opportunity to provide more information about their work. For details contact Rachel on 07747 854914.
