Laois locals are taking part in a charity walk in aid of Mary's Meals.

The annual fundraiser will see groups of walkers set off across Ireland, to eventually converge in Knock, Co Mayo on August 15.

Setting off from Portlaoise on August 8, this fundraiser coincided with the charity's 20th anniversary in Ireland.

Last year's charity walk raised over €225,000, enabling the charity to feed over 11,375 school children.

“I’m only a small part of the Step By Step to Feed the Next Child Walk," said Executive Director of Mary’s Meals Ireland, Patricia Friel.

"The heroes are the walkers, collectors, support drivers, people who provide food and accommodation and, of course, all the people who so kindly donate to our life-changing work. You all make Mary’s Meals. You are delivering hope.”

From humble beginnings in 2013, the Step By Step Walk has become the highlight in the Mary’s Meals fundraising calendar, attracting young and not so young to don the walking shoes and walk the length and breadth of Ireland - all to help feed the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals. 

Mary’s Meals is a global school feeding programme, feeding more than 2.6 million children daily in their place of education across 16 countries in places where there is greatest need.

Last June, An Spioraid Naoimh in St Peter and Paul's church, Portlaoise held a 24 hour fast in aid of the charity.

For more information on the upcoming Step By Step walk, see here.

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