Enfield family asking people to get behind Walk4Ollie
An Enfield family’s fundraising campaign for people living with neuromuscular conditions is set to return later this month, with more than €130,000 already raised through Walk4Ollie.
Paddy Hickey, whose son Ollie lives with Bethlem myopathy, will once again take to the road on Saturday, 26th September for the annual fundraising walk in aid of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) and the Ollie Hickey Fund.
The seven-leg journey will begin at North Wall in Dublin and finish in Enfield, with supporters invited to join Paddy for all or part of the route.
The route will take in Cross Runs Bridge, Castleknock, Leixlip Confey, Maynooth, Kilcock and Fern’s Lock before reaching Enfield, where the day's fundraising will conclude with the second annual Rock4Ollie community concert.
Since the first Walk4Ollie in 2023, Paddy and his supporters have raised more than €130,000, with the campaign helping to fund practical supports and opportunities for people living with neuromuscular conditions.
The Ollie Hickey Fund was established in partnership with the Hickey family and MDI following the first walk. It operates through a Fund and Bursary, supporting people to access equipment, services, activities and experiences aimed at promoting independence, inclusion and quality of life.
Ollie was diagnosed with Bethlem myopathy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy affecting skeletal muscles and connective tissue, at the age of four.
Paddy said the family was proud of the amount raised but that seeing the difference the money makes to other families was what made the campaign particularly worthwhile.
“When we started Walk4Ollie, we wanted to raise awareness of Bethlem myopathy and help other families living with neuromuscular conditions,” he said.
“To have raised more than €130,000 over the last three years is something we are incredibly proud of, but seeing the impact of this is what makes it even more special.”
He said donations to the fund had helped provide services, supports, equipment and accessible experiences for people living with neuromuscular conditions.
“We are asking people to get behind Walk4Ollie again this year. You can join us for a leg of the walk, set up your own fundraiser, make a donation or simply share the message,” he said.
“Every bit of support helps us reach more people and continue creating opportunities for those living with neuromuscular conditions.”
The fundraising has already had a tangible impact, with €35,833 spent through the Ollie Hickey Fund during 2025 and 2026 to date.
This has supported initiatives including Barretstown, physical therapy and nutrition sessions through Siel Bleu, mobile occupational therapy and FAI match tickets.
A further €13,942 has been spent through the Bursary, helping recipients with swimming lessons, accessibility and mobility equipment and adaptations to their homes and cars.
MDI CEO Alan Breathnach said the fundraising had created a lasting legacy through the Ollie Hickey Fund.
“Behind every euro is a person who has been able to access something that supports their independence, participation or quality of life,” he said.
Mr Breathnach said the impact ranged from physical therapy and nutrition to swimming, mobility equipment, accessibility supports and family experiences.
He also highlighted recent developments around access to treatments for neuromuscular conditions, including the reimbursement of Skyclarys for people living with Friedreich’s Ataxia and the recent HSE approval of Givinostat for use by people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
He said fundraising campaigns such as Walk4Ollie allowed MDI to continue providing resources through advocacy, information and support.
People can join Paddy for any of the seven legs of the walk on September 26, while supporters can also organise their own fundraising activity or make a donation.
Further information and details on how to support Walk4Ollie are available through the Walk4Ollie fundraising page.