Have you heard of The Galapagos Postman?
Jonny Beardmore, a London-based consultant, has thrown in his day job and become the Galapagos Postman for 2024. His challenge is to hand deliver 50 letters to strangers around the world to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and to connect with strangers. He'll finish the adventure next year just in time to join us at next years Armchair Adventure Festival!
What is The Galapagos Postman Challenge?
In March 2024, Jonny collected 50 letters from the ancient postbox on Isla Floreana in the Galapagos Islands – letters left by travellers in the hopes someone would collect them and deliver them. Over the next 12 months, he’ll travel the globe to hand deliver each of them to their intended recipients. Their locations will guide his route – and his luggage will be a single carry-on bag.
The postbox has been operational for centuries. Since 1793, sailors on multi-year ventures once left letters for their loved ones, hoping they would be collected by passing ships on their way back to England, the USA, or their home port. This has become a longstanding tradition. Today, island visitors still leave letters and postcards in the hope that a fellow traveller will collect them.
So far, Jonny’s delivered thirty-six letters across South, Central and North America. Iceland, UK and Ireland, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Recipients include a doctor in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a love letter to San Pedro, Belize, a mother who could not read in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the mayor of clown town in Houston, and a honeymooning couple in Washago, Canada, and Dublin delivery that was live on National radio 1 with an Irishman called Paddy.
The human connection required to hand deliver letters inspired Jonny to create this challenge as it reflects the challenge many sufferers of MND face. Motor neurone disease (MND) is not just a physical battle - it’s a deeply emotional and psychological challenge that often leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness. The need for human connection becomes paramount in such difficult circumstances.
Jonny’s main motivation is to raise money for MND charities in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and awareness for MND and ALS organisations in all the countries he visits. These charities are focused on improving the quality of life, funding research, and campaigning for people affected by MND.
Raising awareness and $100,000 NZD for MND charities in New Zealand and the United Kingdom by connecting the world - one letter at a time
“My inspiration for this endeavour comes from my father, Eric. He battled MND for over 8 years until he passed away in 2022. Through this project, I aim to reconnect people through the written word, emphasising the personal touch that letters provide. But there’s more: I want to highlight the loss of mobility and freedom of movement that my father and other MND sufferers experience—a reminder that we should never take these abilities for granted.”
Jonny is proud to be partnering with Sam Perkins and his charity Stand Against MND in the UK. Sam and Jonny share a passion for the power of research funding in changing the future of the disease. All UK fundraising will go to Stand Against MND to continue the great work Sam and his charity have achieved to date.
You can join Jonny on this incredible journey. Follow his adventures on Instagram @bigoadventures or Facebook @Big O’s Adventures.
You can support his journey in the UK https://www.justgiving.com/standagainstmnd
Keep an eye out for the postman — it might just be your door he’s knocking on and if he does'nt you'll definitely be seeing him at next years festival! Early Bird tickets are on sale now, grab yours via the link below!
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