A Bollinbrook man is walking around both Northern and the Republic of Ireland for a good cause.

Patrick Davies is currently hiking around Ireland to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK.

He wants to fundraise £5000 for the national charity, and will trek 1500 miles.

Macclesfield Nub News spoke with the former civil servant, in the midst of his challenge on the emerald isle.

"The walk should take around three-and-a-half months," he said. 

Over 700 people are following his daily updates about the walk on Instagram. (Image - @patrickjdavies)

"The start was quite an adjustment. It takes a while to get used to carrying a heavy backpack again and covering quite a lot of miles. After the first day, the weather wasn't great for 2 weeks. Strong winds and horizontal rain in the Wicklow Mountains was 'interesting'."

Updates are being posted on his Instagram.

The Ireland challenge follows his previous 1400-mile journey from the southernmost point of England to the northern tip of Scotland, which he completed in 2021, and later penned a book about. (Buy HERE).

Back then, he raised over £45,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK.

Since his father's diagnosis, Patrick's life has been upended, and the caring son is now on another mission to raise money for charity.

This latest fundraiser could take his total amount fundraised for the charity over the years to an incredible £50,000. (Image - @patrickjdavies)

"I was in the Foreign Office until 2018. My last job was deputy ambassador to the USA at the British Embassy in Washington DC," he recalled.

"My dad's diagnosis in 2017 made me re-think my future - not wanting to be on the other side of the world when he and mum needed more support. Dad moved into care in autumn last year as his condition has progressed and he needs increasing support.

"It's really hard to watch the increasing grip of the disease.

"Dad was a hugely practical man. My parents did not have a lot of money and so my dad taught himself all sorts of skills to renovate the family home, fix the car etc, so he could provide a decent life for his family. Alzheimer's has taken all that away.

"Seeing what my mum had to do as the main carer. I sometimes think, dementia is harder of the family carers who have to watch their partner of so many years being taken away."

Click the red links on this article to donate.

Patrick is currently heading into the fourth week of his challenge. 

His fundraising total currently stands at £1891, with 46 donors. And you too can donate ON THIS LINK.

If you include GiftAid to the above amount, he has already raised almost £2000.

So far, he has visited county Cork and Kerry. He is currently in Killarney, Kerry. 

When pressed at that factors are motivating him to press on, aside for his family, Patrick had this to say. 

He has had the idea for a few years, and now has decided to take the plunge. (Image - @patrickjdavies)

"Just to keep raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK", he added.

"It is a disease that continues to get less funding that some other conditions.

"I think that is because people assume dementia is just a symptom of aging, when it's a serious disease affecting more and more people. 

"Alzheimer's and dementia is now the leading cause of death in many western countries. It has a devastating impact on families and an enormous cost on society (from lost years of independent living of those who have Alzheimer's and dementia, the cost of health and care services. 

Patrick wrote a book about his last charity walk... perhaps he will do the same this time?

"Compared to my last challenge, there are fewer footpaths in Ireland and fewer campsites too. So it's going to be a bit more of a challenge to piece together the walk.

"With a target of walking 20 miles each day, I know it's going to be tough, not least given the poor weather this year.

"But every penny raised will be worth the effort and discomfort. I am hugely grateful for your support."

Patrick is currently averaging 18.5 miles per day. His best day so far was a mighty 27 miles.

When he's not walking across nations, Patrick lives at his home in Bollinbrook, where he has lived since March 2020 to care for his dad.

So why not go and show him some support?

Macclesfield: Click HERE to donate.

Simon McDermott, Regional Fundraising Officer for the North West at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "We're so grateful to Patrick for everything he has done to support Alzheimer's Research UK and we look forward to following his adventures on his latest trek.

"The money he raises will help us to invest in the best research to revolutionise the way we diagnose, treat and prevent dementia.

"If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Fantastic fundraising efforts like this will help us get closer to a cure for people with dementia and their loved ones."

Once again, you can donate to Patrick's fundraiser HERE.

Follow updates on his X and Instagram accounts.