Doc Martin on couch surfing expedition through Mayo

COUCH surfing pensioner Dr. Marty Holland will begin a coastal walk of Mayo this Wednesday as part of his Coast for Cancer challenge, a 4,000k walk around the coast of Ireland in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

The 66-year-old Belfast native, a long term resident of Cratloe, Co. Clare, has already walked over 2,800km and raised over €40,000 to support cancer patients through the Irish Cancer Society.

He kicks off his stroll through Mayo having already walked from Clare to Sligo in an anti-clockwise direction around the coast. Marty will walk the entire Mayo coast, taking in locations including Ballina, Killala, Bellmullet, Newport and Westport en route to Galway.

As part of his unique fundraiser, Marty is couch surfing around the country, relying on the kindness of strangers to put him up overnight. So far he has been welcomed into over 50 private homes, and is appealing to locals to help him out by donating at https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/coast-for-cancer, or by providing him with a place to sleep as he walks the coast of the county.

Marty plans to walk daily until he reaches the Clare border in June and completes his challenge to raise €50,000 to support the work of the Irish Cancer Society.

Marty was inspired to take up the challenge to fundraise for the Irish Cancer Society after witnessing two friends die from cancer.

Those wishing to offer support of any kind can contact Marty directly at his email address coastforcancer@gmail.com. He would particularly welcome offers of accommodation and/or transportation of luggage from point to point along the route.