Tipperary walkers support world hunger cause with trip to Knock

Tipperary walkers support Mary’s Meals to feed the next child

Now in its 14th year, Mary’s Meals Ireland’s own take on the Walk to Knock, called ‘Step By Step to Feed The Next Child’, will see groups of walkers from all over Ireland, including Thurles, set off on August 7 from eight starting points across the country, and they will all converge in Knock, Co Mayo on August 15.

This year, once again, a strong contingent from Tipperary will take part in the walk, including John Eagan from the local Tipperary branch. John explains the variety of ways the group will get involved this year. “As part of a National Fundraiser, we are cycling 150k around Lough Derg, Swimming 10k in Lough Derg and walking from Thurles to Knock. Our collectors will be in Thurles (7th), Roscrea (8th) and Cashel (10th). Everyone is welcome to help/contribute.”

From humble beginnings in 2013, the Step By Step Walk has become the highlight of the Mary’s Meals fundraising calendar, attracting young and not so young supporters to don their walking shoes and walk the length and breadth of Ireland, all to help feed the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals. During 2025, Mary’s Meals achieved the milestone of providing school meals for more than 3 million children in over 6,400 schools across 16 countries and, in total, served more than 400 million meals through its community-led school feeding programmes. In the recently published impact report, the encouraging new data shows how daily school meals helped to reduce hunger, improve concentration, and keep children in class while supporting local economies.

Executive Director of Mary’s Meals Ireland, Patricia Friel, says: “Through Step by Step to Feed the Next Child, people across Ireland are proving that small acts of kindness, multiplied thousands of times, can transform lives. Whether you walk one kilometre or two hundred, every step, every donation brings us closer to our vision that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education. We would love you to support us this year.”

To learn more about the Mary’s Meals walk, including how to take part or donate, please visit Step by Step | Mary's Meals Ireland