Bay Area man walking 100 miles barefoot for immigrant children’s rights

(KRON) — Patrick McConnell has been training for three months to walk from San Francisco’s Ocean Beach to Santa Cruz barefoot. He says every step will help raise money for immigrant children detained at the border.

“Many of these kids are fleeing violence, trafficking, unimaginable hardships back at home then they are met with a system that treats them like adults,” says McConnell.

McConnell says he’s partnered with the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights — an organization that provides child advocates to help give these kids a voice in court and reunite them with their families.

“Ensure that when children are going through these proceedings that they feel safe, that their safety is considered. That wherever they land they are able to be freed from detention,” says Oneida Vargas Molina, child advocate supervisor at the Young Center.

McConnell has been fundraising online and posting videos on Instagram showing what it’s been like to train for the journey. He says the first time he unlaced his shoes for a walk, he only made it one mile — but now he’s up to 13.

“Trying to get it going multiple days in a row is a different story, which is what I’ll be doing for the actual walk,” says McConnell. But it’s pretty painful. I would say my feet have definitely toughened up. I definitely scrape them every once in a while. It’s not always a pretty sight but I’ll spare you the details.”

McConnell says he believes it’ll take six days to complete the 100-mile journey, and knows it will not be an easy feat.

“My main concern is stepping on glass, stepping on anything that could end the walk,” says McConnell. “I will be walking down Highway 1. There isn’t a great clear path. No clear walking trail the whole way down. I’ll be on the side of the road. Most of the time there will be a shoulder, but there are some portions that don’t really have a shoulder and that’s what I’m most concerned about.”

He’s already raised more than $12,000, with a goal to get to $50,000.

“Every $1k helps support 26 children with a child advocate in court and in life. I know it’s going to an amazing cause. So any amount that can be raised is better than nothing so I’m feeling really grateful for that.”

McConnell’s walking journey will begin on Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m. at Ocean Beach across from the Beach Chalet, and he’s inviting all to come out. Anyone who would like to donate to McConnell’s fundraiser can visit here.