Aaron O'Connor has been a Brentford fan his entire life. His dad Kevin took him to his first game at Griffin Park when he was 4 years old and the Bees have played a huge role in his life ever since.

Watching Brentford has always been something Aaron has shared with his dad, and when Kevin sadly passed away on Boxing Day 2024, Aaron decided to take on a challenge to both honour and remember his father.

On 13 September 2025, Aaron will be taking part in the Thames Path Ultra Challenge. This is to walk 100km from Putney Bridge to Henley following the Thames. The challenge is to complete the walk in under 24 hours, walking continuously pretty much the whole way through both the day and night.

All funds Aaron raises will be donated to Brentford FC Community Sports Trust. With the club playing such an important part in the O’Connor’s family and lives, the Community Sports Trust is a fitting charity to help remember Kevin.

Can you tell us why you chose to fundraise for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust?

Brentford FC have played a huge part in my life, first going to a match when I was around 4 years old. My dad was a lifelong fan who recently passed away. In memory of him, I would like to raise some money for charity and it would be great to give something back to somewhere that has played such a big part in my family's lives for so long. I also believe the work the Trust does within the community is really inspiring and being able to help all of the the Trust's amazing work will really go a long way.

What is the challenge your taking on and why did you select this particular one?

I am taking on a 100km walk, from Putney Bridge to Henley, which follows the Thames the whole way. My aim is to complete it in under 24 hours, as part of an Ultra Challenge set by the organisers. I chose the walk because it's definitely a challenge, I don't think I realised actually how far 100km is, and to finish it within a day is literally a continuous walk, so physically is a huge ask as well as mentally having to walk through the dark night. I have always wanted to push myself in everything I do and this seems to be a huge challenge.

How do you hope your fundraising efforts will impact the community?

I hope that the funds and awareness I can raise will help the Trust sustain the impactful work it does in the local community. The work the Trust do in helping the community with the different projects and support they provide really helps people and it's great to be able to make that go a bit further. I also hope that other people get inspired to fundraise for the Trust and that anyone who hasn't heard of the Trust before now can see the great work that is done within the community.

Have you set a fundraising goal? If so, what is it?

I haven't set one, but have given myself 6 months of fundraising to raise as much as I can. I would be happy with anything north of £1,000.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your fundraising journey or the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust?

I'm really looking forward to the challenge, I am useless at running, cycling, swimming ... Basically any other traditional physical challenges, so finding something that worked for me was a challenge in itself. Luckily I know how to put one foot in front of the other, most of the time, so an extremely long walk it had to be!

This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, and I am really excited about it. I'm proud to be able to do this and fundraise for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, and I am sure it’s something that if I had the chance to tell my dad about, he would agree that this is such a great cause to fundraise for as part of something that was so important within our lives.

Sponsor Aaron

Click here to support Aaron on his Thames Path Ultra Challenge and donate.