Ex-Rugby Player Fergus Farrell to Take on Historic New York to LA Walk Following Spinal Cord Injury
DUBLIN, IRELAND – 22nd April 2026 – Spinal Injuries Ireland (SII), the only support and service agency in Ireland for people who have sustained a spinal cord injury, has announced the official launch of the ‘Fergus Walks’ fundraising and awareness campaign. This initiative will see former rugby player Fergus Farrell, who was given a 5% chance of ever walking again after a spinal cord injury in 2018, take on the extraordinary challenge of walking 4,500-kilometre’s across the United States. In the lead up to the challenge in August, Fergus aims to raise €1 million for Spinal Injuries Ireland.
This historic undertaking will see Fergus become the first person with a spinal cord injury ever to complete such a walk across America and the first Irishman to do so in over a century. Over 75 consecutive days, Fergus will walk an average of a marathon and a half (approximately 63 kilometres) coast to coast from New York to LA. The campaign is made possible through the generous support and partnership of Crown, a leading provider of full building envelope solutions.
Fergus’s journey is a powerful testament to human resilience, forged from personal adversity. In 2018, a freak back injury while lifting a heavy metal bench left him paralysed. Doctors initially gave a devastating prognosis, offering a faint prospect of “some movement” but little hope of ever walking again. Through discipline and determination, he regained his independence and rebuilt his life.
The challenge that Fergus is now taking on is immense and will push physical and mental boundaries. Fergus will be documenting his journey, providing a real-time narrative of the realities of living with a spinal cord injury and the incredible potential within the community and the SII network.
Commenting on the launch, Fergus Farrell shared his motivation: “My journey hasn’t been easy, but every step I take in this challenge is a testament to the incredible support I’ve received and the determination within all of us to overcome adversity. This walk is about proving what’s possible, not just for me, but for everyone living with a spinal cord injury. It’s about raising vital funds for Spinal Injuries Ireland and showing that a spinal injury doesn’t define a life; it can open new paths of possibility. I hope my walk inspires people to look beyond perceived limitations, just as I’ve learned to do since my injury.”
Fiona Bolger, CEO of Spinal Injuries Ireland, highlighted the significance of the campaign: “Fergus’s extraordinary challenge is not just a physical feat but a story full of hope and resilience that we know will resonate with people all across Ireland and beyond. The funds raised through ‘Fergus Walks’ are crucial for Spinal Injuries Ireland to continue providing essential support services, education and advocacy for those affected by spinal cord injuries. We hope it will foster a deeper understanding of the incredible potential within our community. This campaign will shine a much-needed light on the realities of living with this injury. We are so proud to stand with Fergus as he prepares for his journey.”
Emma O’Gorman Wall, Chief Operating Officer at Crown, shared their support for Fergus’ journey: “We first met Fergus when he spoke to the Crown team as a motivational speaker, and the impact he had was truly incredible. When Fergus shared his ambition to walk across America, the entire Crown team were firmly behind him and wanted to support him in taking on this immense challenge. Crown is proud to provide the funding for the walk, helping Fergus to raise as much money as possible for Spinal Injuries Ireland – a cause that is very close to his heart and one we are honoured to support.”
Spinal Injuries Ireland is the only national organisation providing support, information and advocacy services to people with spinal cord injuries and their families. The funds raised from ‘Fergus Walks’ will be vital in sustaining these critical services, which include peer support, counselling and assistance with navigating daily life post-injury.
The public is encouraged to support Fergus by following his journey on social media, visiting the official campaign website for updates and embarking on their own walking challenge, nominating friends to do theirs and donating to Spinal Injuries Ireland. Every contribution will directly impact the lives of individuals living with spinal cord injuries across Ireland.
Visit the ‘Fergus Walks’ website to find out more and donate to Spinal Injuries Ireland www.ferguswalks.ie. Follow Fergus and the journey on Instagram @iamfergusfarrell and on the Spinal Injuries Ireland Instagram and Facebook.
