CHARITY WALKS: Post-graduate backpacking around Eastern Europe for pleasure led to a serious hike with a purpose all around his homeland for Dublin man David Dunn, writes Angela Long.
Balloons are cheerful things. Floaty and light, colourful, comfortably curvaceous and symbolic of fun: all these things, but not boon companions for a five-month foot-slog around Ireland. David Dunn, the self-styled "Balloon Man", has discovered this uncomfortable truth halfway through his journey to raise money for Romanian orphans.
David started his mega-ramble in May, and has walked, solo, down through Wicklow, Wexford, Cork, Clare and has now hit Galway. Along the way he shakes his collection tin and makes friends, for sure, but they are mostly transitory and he is yearning for more conversation than a helium-filled sack can provide.
"I am seeking a Balloon Woman," he says, "to finish the journey with me. I need a companion with me, sharing the load." As he still has about another two months trekking ahead of him, the suitable lady will need to be tough as well as compassionate.
David (23), took Galway by storm, as he paraded around a route from the Spanish Arch through Eyre Square and all notable landmarks, seeking the woman of his dreams. By the end of the stint he was overwhelmed with applications. "There are loads of candidates now," he said happily at the weekend. "Up till now in my dating career I have usually been begging, now I'm spoiled for choice."
However the Balloon Woman will need to be more than a romantic interest. As well as sensible shoes, marketing savvy and a refusal to take no for an answer will come in handy.David has no pre-booked accommodation on his odyssey, and relies on the good hearts of B&B owners or just ordinary people with a spare bed. There is no budget for hotels or even hostels. "A year ago while I was backpacking in Romania I met some people, including a guy called Gerry Cronin, working with a charity called Heart to Hand, doing such wonderful work for orphans there, I was really impressed with them and decided to help," said David, a UCD science graduate from Ballsbridge, Dublin. Before he started out he had raised €10,000, and hoped to triple that.
Now, however, he has had such good results he has upped his target to €50,000.
He has a collection tin with him, but deposits money regularly along the way so he is never carrying a big sum. As for the balloons, he laid in a great stock with the charity's logo before his walk, but is having to supplement them from pound shops.
The Balloon Man has another 2½ months on the road ahead of him as he goes north and then east to complete his tour of the island.
After that he will be looking for something a little colder than charity: a steady, sedentary job.
David Dunn would be delighted to hear from anyone who can provide him with accommodation, donations, or balloons: (086) 382.5123.
The website for the walk is: www.walkaroundireland.com
