A Laois farmer turned massage therapist will walk from Portlaoise Plaza to the Obama Plaza in aid of a children's cancer charity.

Castletown man Patrick Kelly intends to walk the 55km journey dressed as Batman, while pulling a trailer containing his adorable teddy bear sidekick Robin.

The holistic massage therapist has held an annual fundraiser for the last nine years, and he has raised a whopping €30,000 for a variety of great causes.

"This will be my last year to do one of my fundraisers, and I decided that I'd love to do it for a children's charity," Mr Kelly told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: On Sunday September 21, dressed as Farmer Batman and with Teddy Bear Robin, Patrick Kelly from Castletown will be walking from Obama Plaza in Moneygall to Portlaoise Plaza. For the 53km Patrick will be pulling a garden cart behind with Teddy Bear Robin in it. Photo: Alf Harvey

"I did my research and came across Childhood Cancer Ireland, they are a relatively new charity and they help children who are battling cancer. They support both parents and children, and they do it on a local and national level. I thought it was a brilliant cause," Mr Kelly explained.

Mr Kelly has said that the reaction to his challenge has been amazing, and that people aren't particularly surprised.

"It's a bit mad, but I decided to just do it. The Vintage Club are involved and are organising a run on the day, the walk will be thirteen hours straight with the odd 10 minute pause," he said.

"The teddy bear is coming along for the children's charity element of the fundraiser. He looks a lot cuter in his costume than I do," Mr Kelly laughed.

Pictured: Farmer Batman Patrick Kelly, with his trusty sidekick Robin

"It's a bit of fun and it's different, people know that I've been doing these fundraisers for a long time. We have brilliant staff in our healthcare system, but things aren't right. Equipment is not used and there's a lot of equipment out of date, it shouldn't happen. We should have the best health service in the world, so this is my small way of helping to raise awareness," he said.

"Cancer is rampant lately, and it's all very rapid forms of cancer. I see it myself as a massage therapist," he said.

"Three hundred children diagnosed with this disease each year, is 300 children too many. They don't even have the chance to start in life. We need modern and efficient equipment. When my Mum had cancer, she started treatment in under six weeks. There's no simple fix, but we need the right equipment for treatments," he said.

"With the Batman costume- I'm not fast enough to be Flash, you have to be strong to be Superman, you have to be able to swim to be Aquaman, and I don't have the body for a wonder woman costume," Mr Kelly laughed.

Pictured: Castletown man Patrick Kelly

"Life is too short not to have a laugh, we need to laugh more in this country. I don't mind dressing up and doing it for a good cause," he said.

Mr Kelly highlighted that fundraising efforts are 'fantastic' so far, and he hopes to raise close to €5,000 for the cancer charity.

"We hope to get close to our fundraising goal, we'll have a bit of fun and won't be able to walk after," Mr Kelly joked.

The Castletown man has said that out of all of his fundraising efforts, he expects this one to be the most difficult.

"The rest of my challenges involved me sitting down, so this one will be the most challenging. It's a full marathon plus an additional 13km, I'm 53 and not as young as I was," he laughed.

"It will be the most challenging but probably the most fun- how many Batmans have you seen walking the roads dragging a cart behind him?" he joked.

"September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and every step of this journey is dedicated to raising awareness and vital funds for children and families affected by cancer across Ireland. Every donation helps light the way for families facing childhood cancer – thank you for your support!" Mr Kelly finished.

At the time this article was written, Mr Kelly has raised over €2,300.

To help Mr Kelly in his fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Ireland, donate here.

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