ACCOMPLISHMENT: Ryan Looney (13) from Gneeveguilla, pictured with his mom Brigitta, is walking 200k in 28 days to raise funds for his school. Photo: Michelle Crean 

By Michelle Crean

He may not have the actual view of the Ring of Kerry but that isn't stopping one teen from walking its circumference - by taking on 200k all within 28 days! Ryan Looney (13) who has Autism, decided to take on the huge challenge to help raise funds for his school.

Currently in the Oak Class in St. Francis Special School, Ryan, from Quarry Cross, Gneeveguilla, wanted to raise money to help fund private therapies such as speech and language therapy carried out by Kerry Speech and Language Clinic who offer 1:1 SLT sessions.

And Ryan is so dedicated to his goal that he hasn't missed a day's walk, accompanied by his mom Brigitta, since the Easter holidays.

What's even better is that Ryan is getting huge support online through his GoFundMe and Facebook pages 'Ryan's Virtual Ring of Kerry Walking Challenge'.

"Ryan has been walking non stop all through his Easter Holidays, he has been walking over 10k a day and now has over 160k done," his mom Brigitta told the Killarney Advertiser.

"As he is back in school now and busy, he is doing the rest of the challenge in the evenings with smaller walks of 3km and 4km. He hopes to have it completed by next week. He loves being outdoors and it's something different, and we've been blessed with the weather."

Normally the school has an annual golf classic fundraiser organised by the SFSS Parent's Autism Support Group. Their last one, in 2019, raised €19,000. However, with events postponed due to the ongoing pandemic, fundraising has become harder, and this inspired Ryan and his mom take on the challenge.

"A friend had the Conqueror App and was walking to Rome virtually, so we decided to do the Ring of Kerry. It maps out the walk and once completed he will get a medal in the post. We also set up a GoFundMe page with a target of €1,000 and it's now at almost €3,000," Brigitta added.

"We have a Facebook page set up 'Ryan's Virtual Ring of Kerry Walking Challenge' and people are sending me pics as they are walking to support Ryan with #TEAMRYAN which is lovely, and he loves seeing them."