A Laois local has started a gruelling challenge that is as baffling as it is impressive: to walk 1,200km within one month in aid of a children's charity.

Praveen Rawal, originally from India and now living in Mountmellick, will set off from Mountmellick and walk through all 26 counties of Ireland straight, with no use of public transport or car.

What would seem to be a near impossible challenge to undertake, Mr Rawal is more than capable- last month, he walked from Mountmellick to Sligo for 22 hours straight without stopping. He completed the total trip in 35 hours.

"This fundraising idea came from an experience I recently had, where I decided to see how far I could walk without stopping- I set off from Mountmellick and walked all the way to Sligo," Mr Rawal told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: Praveen Rawal on his walk from Mountmellick to Sligo

"I have always wanted to see Ireland, and see the places I wouldn't see if I went by car or public transport. I don't drive, so I walked through all of these towns and villages, and got to see so many beautiful places and speak to so many lovely people.

"Walking really is a routine to me, especially when I am off work on the weekends. I have been able to see Portarlington, Tullamore, the Rock of Dunamaise, and last weekend I walked to Castlecomer Discovery Park. I only moved to Mountmellick from Dublin last December, so I am loving the chance to see more of the county. I like to map my routes to see streets and towns I wouldn't otherwise," he said.

Mr Rawal's first walking experience in Laois was the Glenbarrow trail in December. He set out from Mountmellick and walked the trail, and then walked home. This 35km walk was just a light walk for Praveen!

Pictured: Mr Rawal reaches Sligo in the early hours of the morning, walking over 170km from Laois

"I don't really have a background in running or marathon walking- I ran a 5km race in India in 2018, and before I started these long walks, that was my only experience. In 2025 I started running and did my first half marathon in July in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation and hospice. I did my first full marathon and through my training, I saw I am able to push myself quite far," he said.

Mr Rawal hopes to put his phenomenal endurance running to a good cause: he has teamed up with Children's Health Foundation Ireland to raise €50,000. 

Children's Health Foundation supports children's services and urgent care centres, including Crumlin Children's Hospital and Temple Street. 

The money raised will help fund life‑saving treatments, equipment, research and family support services for children living with cancer, heart conditions, rare diseases and other serious, chronic illnesses.

"My pain along this walk is temporary, but theirs often lasts for months or years. My sore feet will recover after 30 days. Many of these children face endless hospital visits, invasive treatments and long nights of uncertainty. Their courage, and the strength of their families, is what inspires this challenge," he said.

"I have seen the great work the charities do to support children and their families, and I saw that no one has ever done this walk before. I hope that raising awareness through this walk will raise funds for the charity."

Pictured: The route Praveen Rawal will take along his walk

While the distance and the energy required for this walk is challenging enough, Mr Rawal ran into a hiccup along his Sligo walk last December.

"One funny thing that happened along the journey was when I was stopped by Gardaí along the walk- I had accidentally walked onto the motorway without realising. It was 5am and I was on the road from Moate to Athlone when Gardaí stopped me. They checked if something was wrong, and told me cyclists and walkers aren't allowed on the road. When I told them I was walking to Sligo, they thought I was crazy," Mr Rawal laughed.

"They told me they would bring me to the nearest road off the motorway, and I told them a part of my challenge was that I couldn't set foot into a car. They told me they would arrest me otherwise, so they dropped me to the town 5km ahead and I continued on," he said.

The Mountmellick man had considered reaching out to the Guinness World Record facilitators, yet he wanted to undertake this fundraiser as soon as he could and was unable to hold off this walk, as the roads would be busier during the summer months.

"I contacted the Children's Health Foundation and I planned my route, I know that I walked 100km in 22 hours to Sligo, and I am able to generally walk 16 hours straight. I have planned 60km walks per day, across a 30 day plan from February 14 to March 15 to cover the 1,200 kilometres. 

Pictured: Raveen Rawal

"For me, this is a journey of mind over body, where my body might feel the pain, but my mind will find peace, like monks who train themselves to endure," he said.

"Every kilometre and every county walked is for the children and families supported by the foundation."

Along with being beneficial for his physical health, these long walks have been fantastic for calming Mr Rawal's mind and bringing him closer to nature.

"Since I started this running journey I have maintained my weight to around 70 kilos consistently, and it's great for lifting my mind up. You're very relaxed and disconnected from social media, I just listen to my favourite music and take pictures along the way. The skies are very beautiful in the dark- when I was leaving Mountmellick, I managed to photograph a shooting star, it was a great start to the walk!" he said.

Praveen wished to praise and thank Laois locals for their support in his fundraiser, stating that they have been extremely supportive.

"It may be hard for people to believe the challenge can be completed, and for people to think I can do it. People can track my distance on the fundraiser where my steps are logged, you can see my current times I am making while training are around 60km per day. I have reached out to some brands for sponsorship, but it's hard to get.

Pictured: Mr Praveen Rawal on his long distance walks

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"I am hoping to raise more awareness of my route, so that motorists are aware and can be cautious. All of my daily updates and photographs through each town will be on my donations page," Mr Rawal finished.

For those who wish to follow Mr Rawal along on his journey, they can access daily updates and live tracking through the 26 counties viavia Strava, Instagram, and Facebook under #WalkThe26Counties.

To help Praveen Rawal reach his €50,000 target, donations can be made here.