Cycling the Camino de Santiago: How John Donoghue Raised £2,000 for Lifelites

In July 2026, John Donoghue took on the gruelling Camino de Santiago challenge in northern Spain. Whilst cycling, he decided to raise vital funds for Lifelites and the Masonic Freemasons Charity.

A keen cyclist, John has raised an astonishing £787,000 for charity over the past 20 years. He is fuelled by his motivation to help others following his daughter’s serious illness in 2006.

A Father’s Inspiration: Giving the Gift of Life

Daughter Tara was diagnosed with lupus and began dialysis in 2006, receiving four blood transfusions. Then, the family received the news that she may have only weeks to live without a kidney transplant.

A frantic search to find a donor ended without success, until John found out he was a rare 100% match.

“They told me that shouldn’t really be possible,” John said. “It felt like a miracle.” 

Following the successful transplant, John decided to focus his attention on raising funds and helping others facing similar challenges to Tara and his family.

From Land’s End to Spain: 20 Years of Charity Cycling

That’s when he bought a bike and threw himself in at the deep end. He cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just nine days, a gruelling challenge made even worse by relentless rain and poor weather.

The less-than-ideal conditions of that first charity ride didn’t dampen his enthusiasm. Since then, John’s fundraising adventures have included riding from Gibraltar to Dorset, from Edinburgh to Portsmouth and across France, starting with the Camino de Santiago and onto Finisterra.

John became aware of Lifelites and our assistive technology through his Masonic Lodge. From then on, he began including Lifelites as a recipient charity for his fundraising challenges. His support helps to fund the kind of inclusive technology he saw in the hospital during Tara’s treatment.

Tackling the 800-Mile Camino de Santiago Challenge at 72

At 72, John decided to tackle one of his most ambitious challenges: riding the famous Camino de Santiago challenge in beautiful northern Spain. The circular route saw him cover an incredible 800 miles over 21 days in July 2026.

John explained, “Lifelites is a charity very close to my heart and I have been proud to support their work for many years. This was one of the hardest challenges I have ever done, but knowing that each mile I peddled and pound I raised would help children enjoy a childhood of fun no matter how short or challenging their lives are made me determined to finish.”

Raising Funds for Assistive Technology for Children

Despite record temperatures that made cycling the route even more difficult, John completed the epic challenge on time. Not only that, but he also managed to raise over £2,000 for Lifelites.

John said, “Giving my daughter a kidney in 2006 changed everything. I realised I could do something different, something more. I hope that what I’ve raised helps those who need it most, especially children who really do need our support.”

Saskia Norori-McCormac, Senior Fundraising and Relationships Officer, celebrated John’s remarkable achievement, saying:

“I’m continually blown away by the challenges we see supporters taking on, all with the aim of raising funds to help power inclusion for children with life-limiting conditions, and John’s was no exception. Tackling the Camino de Santiago is one thing but doing it during a summer of recording breaking heatwaves made things even tougher. Huge congratulations to John for completing his challenge, and an even bigger thank you for raising funds that will help bring moments of joy, connection and fun to seriously ill children.

It’s supporters like John that power what Lifelites does. We cannot thank John enough for dedicating his time and effort to raising funds that will make a real difference to children and families that need it most.”

Take On Your Own Charity Challenge

If you want to take on a challenge for seriously ill children then please contact Saskia on SNorori-McCormac@lifelites.org and we will support you every step or cycle of the way!