A Mother’s Journey of Love: Walking 120km of the Camino in Memory of Her Son
In an extraordinary act of love and remembrance, a County Derry woman is preparing to walk 120 kilometres of the historic Camino Frances route in memory of her beloved son, who tragically lost his life in a road accident.
Angela McBride, from Magherafelt, will set off on the emotional pilgrimage through northern Spain in June. Her journey will take her from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, a section of the Camino de Santiago known not only for its beauty but also for its deep spiritual significance. For Angela, however, this walk is far more than a scenic trek—it is a path through grief, healing, and eternal love.
Her son, Conor, was just 22 years old when his life was cut short in a car crash in 2023.
Described by friends and family as kind-hearted, funny, and full of promise, Conor’s sudden passing left an unfillable void. In the months that followed, Angela found solace in walking, often wandering the quiet roads near her home, reflecting on memories and trying to come to terms with the unimaginable loss.
“Nothing can prepare you for the pain of losing a child,” Angela says. “But I knew I had to do something positive in Conor’s memory—something that felt like a tribute to his beautiful spirit.”
The Camino walk is also a fundraising effort for road safety awareness and bereavement support, causes now deeply personal to Angela. She hopes that through her journey, others might be inspired to support families affected by road tragedies and push for safer driving practices.
Angela will not be walking alone. Supported by close friends and fellow pilgrims, she’ll carry Conor’s photo with her, tucked safely into her backpack. “He’ll be with me every step of the way,” she says with a gentle smile.
Though the physical challenge of walking 120km over several days is daunting, Angela sees it as a metaphor for her ongoing journey through grief—one step at a time, some days harder than others, but always moving forward.
“This walk is my way of keeping Conor’s memory alive,” she says. “I’ll carry him in my heart every kilometre of the way.”
Angela’s Camino will not only honour her son’s life but may also light the way for others navigating their own paths of loss and love
