Tipperary garda to cross America for 10th time in aid of sick children

For Eddie Golden from Tipperary, the journey along Route 66 is about much more than motorcycles, open roads and adventure.

Later this month, Eddie will set off from Dublin alongside more than 65 Irish riders and pillions as they begin their journey to Chicago, where they will officially start the epic 2,600-mile Route 66 Motorcycle Challenge in aid of Children's Health Foundation.

For Eddie, this year's challenge will be particularly significant as it marks his 10th time taking on Route 66 in support of sick children.

A member of An Garda Síochána, Eddie's connection with Children's Health Foundation began many years ago when he was stationed at Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station, close to CHI at Temple Street.

"My connection with Temple Street comes from when I was stationed in Fitzgibbon Street, which is near Temple Street. That was my first interaction with the hospital and the work that they do," said Eddie.

Over the years, Eddie became involved in fundraising through a range of activities, but it was the Route 66 Motorcycle Challenge that became his main fundraising focus and has been joined over the years by many of his Garda colleagues.

"This will be my 10th time going across Route 66 in aid of Children’s Health Foundation. I'm very proud of what we have achieved over those years and I'm very proud of the group this year, of how they've prepared and how they've fundraised."

The 2026 challenge will see Eddie and his fellow riders leave Chicago on Tuesday, September 22, and travel more than 2,600 miles over 14 days, crossing nine states and four different time zones.

Their route will take them through Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and finally California, where they will complete their journey at Santa Monica Pier with a LAPD escort.

While the route offers an extraordinary adventure, Eddie is keen to emphasise that this is a multifaceted challenge, traversing Route 66 and demanding physical endurance, mental resilience and careful preparation along the way.

The group will be travelling over 2,600 miles through some of the world’s most challenging environments. Eddie, one of our group leaders, will be there throughout the journey to guide, support and encourage us every step of the way.

The scale of the challenge is matched by the impact the Route 66 community has had over the years. 2026 marks the 10th bi-annual Route 66 challenge in aid of Children’s Health Foundation.

Over more than two decades, the Route 66 community has covered over one million miles and raised almost €6 million to support sick children and their families across Ireland.

Funds raised through the 2026 Route 66 Motorcycle Challenge will support the vital and life-saving work carried out every day at Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly.

Children's Health Foundation funding helps provide cutting-edge equipment, patient and parental supports and makes ground-breaking paediatric research possible, helping to transform the lives of sick children and their families.

With ten Route 66 journeys now under his belt, Eddie knows exactly what lies ahead.

Asked to describe the challenge in three words, his answer is simple: "Challenging, enjoyable and unforgettable."

The riders will return to Dublin on October 5 after completing their journey from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Members of the public can support Eddie and the Route 66 riders and help Children's Health Foundation continue its work supporting sick children and their families by donating to the 2026 challenge at childrenshealth.ie/donate.