Mark Keating, a fun-loving and fearless Irishman living in Belgrade, set out on a 6 country epic cycle, at the start of October to raise funds for the Institute for Health Care of Mother and Child of Serbia “Dr. Vukan Čupić” (New Belgrade).

The Institute for Health Care of Mother and Child of Serbia “Dr. Vukan Čupić” in New Belgrade is a leading national medical, research, and teaching institution. It provides specialized maternal, neonatal, and paediatric care, supports family planning, advances medical education, and conducts research to improve women’s and children’s health across Serbia.

Mark is supported by well known Serbian figures such as the TV presenter, Jovan Memedović and singer, Nikola Rokvić, who joined him at his departure from Belgrade, and who will also meet him along the route at Cer (BiH) and Kajmakčalan (Gr).

You too can help by following him on Instagram and donating to this page, which Mark's wife, Vesna, is coordinating the program and Insta page in Belgrade on the link below:

https://www.instagram.com/irac_iz_srbije_?igsh=aTBwZzJubzZqMGZy

If you can please share with your friends.

"Every kilometer counts. Every donation matters," said CEO of DHL Serbia, Fionn Harriott before Mark set out.

"DHL Express is keeping the wheels turning—providing logistical and emergency support in every country so the focus stays on what matters most: helping children heal."

Last March, Mark spoke at a lecture (with Irish & Serbian historians) commemorating the 110th anniversary of the 10th Irish Division's support to Serbian forces in the Balkans in WWI (1915) at the Belgrade Irish Festival. Both Mark's great grandfather and (he learned later) his wife's great grandfather fought alongside each other. A Celtic cross memorial in Strumica (NM) stands in recognition of the Irish sacrifice in the Balkans in WWI.

Please dig deep and support this cause with donations you can afford.

Day by Day route:

Day 1 — Belgrade → Šabac (≈76 km) – Sava warm-up - October 1st 2025

Day 2 — Šabac → Krupanj (≈62 km) – Cer foothills

Day 3 — Krupanj → Višegrad (≈81 km) – Drina day

Day 4 — Višegrad → Pljevlja (≈60 km) – River corridors

Day 5 — Pljevlja → Rožaje (≈110 km) – Long highlands

Day 6 — Rožaje → Kolašin (≈66 km) – Mountain mood

Day 7 — Kolašin → Podgorica (≈60 km) – Morača canyon

Day 8 — Podgorica → Lezhë (≈100 km) – Lake Skadar → Shkodër

Day 9 — Lezhë → Lushnjë (≈117 km) – Coastal plain

Day 10 — Lushnjë → Llogara Pass (≈108 km) – BIG climb

Day 11 — Llogara → Sarandë (≈66 km) – Riviera rollers

Day 12 — Sarandë → Corfu (≈30 km + ferry) – Island day

Day 13 — Corfu → Ioannina (≈85 km incl. ferry)

Day 14 — Ioannina → Metsovo (≈40 km) – Pindus climb

Day 15 — Metsovo → Kastoria (≈105 km) – Highland roller

Day 16 — Kastoria → Bitola (≈72 km) – Border & history

Day 17 — Bitola → Edessa (≈81 km) – Kajmakčalan access

Day 18 — Edessa → Thessaloniki (≈97 km) – City arrival

Day 19 — Thessaloniki → Strumica (≈115 km) – Lakes & border

Day 20 — Strumica → Kumanovo (≈137 km) – Long grinder

Day 21 — Kumanovo → Leskovac (≈122 km) – Return to Serbia

Day 22 — Leskovac → Paraćin (≈132 km) – Morava express

Day 23 — Paraćin → Mladenovac (≈106 km) – Quiet B-roads

Day 24 — Mladenovac → Belgrade via Avala (≈59 km) – Finale - end of October

Approx 2091km