As September turns the page, I’m pausing to say a heartfelt thank you.

Together, we walked 336,163 steps—over 10% more than the original 300,000-step target for the Irish Heart Foundation. That’s not just a number. It’s a rhythm of resilience, a pulse of purpose, and a testament to what community can do when it moves together.

Thanks to the generosity of friends and supporters, €264 was raised in sponsorship. Every euro is a vote for heart health, for advocacy, and for the quiet heroes who walk, run, and roll toward better futures.

Not every day hit the 10,000-step mark. Some days were gentler, some were fierce. There was a hospital stay. There were thrice-weekly dialysis sessions. But there were also days that soared—where the steps flew past the target, carried by determination, music, and maybe a bit of stubborn joy.

This challenge wasn’t just about fitness. It was about showing that even in constraint, we can move. Even in dependence, we can choose. Even in illness, we can advocate.

To everyone who sponsored, cheered, or simply asked how the walking was going—thank you. You helped turn a personal challenge into a communal act of care.

Here’s to every step that made a difference. And here’s to the ones still to come.

With gratitude and heart, Michael

P.S. If anyone else wants to donate please visit my fundraising page here.