Longford cheers on Step By Step walkers as they head to Knock

Step By Step is a walk done by Mary’s Meals, and has reached its thirteenth year. Taking place between August 7 to 15, this walk had participants head towards Knock in Co Mayo, passing through Longford.

The walk, which first began in Donegal, has spread all over Ireland, and all the Mary’s Meals centres collectively participate in this fundraising project.

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Dolores Kiernan, Longford branch’s chairperson, welcomed the group on behalf of Mary’s Meals. Cllr Uruemu was also welcoming the walkers on behalf of Longford.

“It was the goodness of everybody, really,” said Kitty Pross, who is part of Longford’s Mary’s Meals. “The reception had the most beautiful food you could offer, the abundance of kindness, the pipe band led the walkers in from the canal. The Gardai were there, a community guard named James. The outpouring of goodness was wonderful.

“It is a beautiful experience. It was a four-day walk. The goodness along the way, people giving us food, putting us up. The simplicity of walking out in the fresh air is something that is very beautiful and very good.”

Kitty added how she would love to see more people get involved in the walk next year, as well as more volunteers for the Longford Mary’s Meals in the future.

Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi said:

“"As Cathaoirleach of Longford Municipal District, I was delighted to welcome the Mary’s Meals walkers as they passed through Longford on their journey from Dublin to Knock. This remarkable initiative highlights the spirit of solidarity and compassion at the heart of our communities.

“I want to sincerely thank our local Mary’s Meals group, An Garda Síochána and Herterich’s for their invaluable support and hospitality on the day."

Mary’s Meals are currently feeding almost 3 million children in 16 of the poorest countries of the world, and provides a daily meal in a place of education for €22 for a year. Each meal costs 11c. Kitty explains that the children come to the school to get food and in turn receive an education also.

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Mary’s Meals started in 2002 feed 200 children in a school in Malawi. Now, it is a worldwide charity fighting hunger.