MARATHON man Grant Weir has finished his ‘Going for a walk, hi’ challenge.

The former UDR solider has been walking the equivalent of a marathon's length to raise funds for South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) and the Ely Centre.

Grant, from Lisbellaw, began his journey earlier this year on Remembrance Sunday and his journey has been covered since by The Impartial Reporter.

He has walked in Ballinamallard, where he now lives. One day, the children from Ballinamallard Primary School joined him and he ventured to Lisbellaw, where his family lived when Grant was injured in a bomb blast on July 17, 1979.

He was joined by Veterans Commissioner, Danny Kinahan, on December 14 for a walk around Ballinamallard alongside other veterans.

He was later joined by Lord Brookborough for a walk around Colebroke Estate.

Grant’s last official walk was a 0.3-mile stretch that saw Grant finish his overall walk at the SEFF Memorial, located within the grounds of Holy Trinity, Church of Ireland – the place where Grant began his walk on Remembrance Sunday, and that bears the name of Missionary Sylvia Crowe, who was murdered in the same incident that Grant was so seriously injured in.

So far, the endeavour by Grant has raised more than £10,000 for the two victims’ organisations.

Reflecting on the day, Grant’s sister, Michelle, who is also his carer, said: “It was great to see so many of the UDR and Army men alongside the piper; it was very emotional for us all as a family.

"Afterwards, we went back to the SEFF, and Grant got to talk to some of the men who were with him that day. He kept mentioning Sylvia Crowe, who was killed. It was very emotional."

In a statement, SEFF’s Director of Services, Kenny Donaldson, said: "The feat that Grant has achieved, backed by his family, is incredible.

"At the point Grant was injured he was not expected to pull through, and no medical person gave Grant a chance of being able to walk again.

“Grant has demonstrated the power of the human spirit and what is possible through courage and determination.

“Over the past six weeks, Grant has walked 26 miles and he and his family have directly engaged with so many people from all walks of life – schoolchildren, veterans, politicians, victims and survivors, the Veterans Commissioner, soldiers who served in the Irish Army, etc.

"People have been inspired by Grant’s story.

“The last stage of Grant’s challenge was very special – he was joined by ex-UDR soldiers who were in the land rover with him on that fateful day, or in the same convoy.

"He was cheered home to the memorial endpoint, and a piper – formerly a UDR soldier – played the rousing military piece, Killaloo.

"Grant was also presented with a medal, and Rev. Alan Irwin offered prayers of thanks in recognition of Grant’s achievement.

“We are so very proud of Grant and his family for the way they conducted themselves throughout the campaign, but also for how they’ve done so right down the years,” added Mr. Donaldson.