Kind-hearted Celtic supporters set off from Letterkenny on 100-mile charity walk

Two football supporters this morning set off on a 100-mile walk in aid of Celtic FC Foundation.

Glaswegian Mark Ramsay and Santiago Selaro from Buenos Aires in Argentina, who lives in Barcelona, are making their way from Letterkenny to Ballymote in Co Sligo over the course of five days for charity.

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The pair are arriving in Ballybofey this evening, Monday, and then Donegal Town on Tuesday, Bundoran by Wednesday, Sligo on Thursday and then aim to be arriving in Ballymote on Friday. Along the way, they will visit Finn Park in Ballybofey, the home of Finn Harps FC, and Sligo Rovers’ Showgrounds.

The supporters decided to undertake the challenge to fundraise for Celtic FC Foundation and pay tribute to the sculpture which commemorates Brother Walfrid, Celtic’s founder in 1887, who travelled from his native Ballymote to Scotland. A fundraising Just Giving page, The Walk to Walfrid, has been set up. The Celtic Foundation upholds and promotes the charitable principles and heritage of Celtic Football Club.

“As a lifelong Celtic fan with a season ticket for over 30 years, I’ve a friend who works for the Celtic Foundation and I've always been amazed by the work they do and have done for years,” Mark told DonegalLive from Letterkenny.

“I’ve Donegal ancestry and suggested doing some sort of challenge with Santiago and he was on board right away. My uncle, Paul Cryan from Leitrim village, suggested a Walk to Walfrid from Letterkenny to Ballymote.

“So we’ll be making our way from Donegal to Sligo - not forgetting Lovely Leitrim of course - over the next five days.

“I’ve never done anything like this before, so I’ve done a few miles in Glasgow. There was a walk for the Celtic Foundation from Bellshill to the Billy McNeill statue at Celtic Park, which I took part in, although nothing to this scale. I’m a lifelong Celtic fan, influenced by my old man Joe, who is sadly no longer with us. Donegal is the most Celtic part of Ireland and it’s great to be home. There’s a very strong connection.”

After spending Sunday night at Letterkenny’s Station House Hotel, Mark and Santiago were waved off by members of the Association of Donegal Celtic Supporters Club this morning.

Santiago said: “I’m very honoured to be part of this. When Mark approached me to do this walk, I knew it was for a good cause. The weather is good but I’m not very used to the bad weather. I got to know Mark and am part of the Argentina CSC (Celtic Supporters Club). I became friendly with Mark and once I learned about Celtic’s history and its culture, it was clear this was the club for me.”

"Brother Walfrid is the reason we have a football club to support and the opportunity to pay tribute to someone of his significance in the club’s history, coupled with the charitable aspect, makes this challenge both exciting and worthwhile,” Mark said.

“All monies raised are going to the Foundation. We are aware of the fantastic work that Celtic FC Foundation does in Scotland, Ireland, and in various other locations, so Santiago and I are thrilled to play a small part in helping the Foundation continue with such endeavours. We hope to raise as much as possible to help others but also to encourage others to get involved, as well as raise awareness of the great work of the Foundation.”