Man hand-delivers 55 letters from the Galápagos to strangers — driven by something deeply personal

In 2023, Jonny Beardmore picked up 55 letters from a wooden barrel on Floreana Island in the Galápagos and committed to delivering each one by hand. The barrel, part of a 230-year-old informal mail system still used by tourists, would become the center of a personal journey spanning 7 continents, 52 countries, and one year of grief. The idea came after Beardmore lost his father, Eric, to motor neurone disease in 2022. "I wanted to find a way to process my grief," he told The Guardian.

His visit to Post Office Bay began as a break from routine, but after successfully delivering a few letters from strangers, he felt compelled to return and take on a larger challenge. Beardmore, who is 52, had already spent most of his adult life traveling or planning his next adventure. He decided to document his letter deliveries, not just to track the journey, but also to raise awareness of motor neurone disease. "I had watched Dad lose his ability to travel and physically communicate, which was devastating. So I wanted this to be about human contact, something he lost, and something I could still pursue," he said. For Beardmore, every knock on a stranger’s door was a way to keep human bonds at the center of his healing process, and studies show how this kind of approach matters.

A 2020 paper found that people experiencing grief were significantly more resilient when they maintained in-person social contact. The researchers noted that even brief, real-world interactions could reduce the intensity and duration of prolonged grief symptoms. What followed was a yearlong mission shaped entirely by the destinations written on someone else’s postcards. Beardmore, who kept his remote job, planned his travel route around the letters, choosing to avoid digital shortcuts whenever possible. "I avoided using social media to get in touch with people. If they weren’t home, I’d ask around locally first. Only then would I use social media," he said.

He admitted that he "was extremely nervous about the first few deliveries." "I didn’t know how people would react to me knocking on their door unannounced," he added. He also encountered language barriers, but he used Google Translate and relied on friends joining him for parts of the trip to help translate when needed. While most encounters were positive, some didn't go as smoothly. In Norway, one woman mistook his selfie stick for a weapon and called the police. "I had to show them my Instagram to explain what I was doing. We all ended up laughing together," he said. One of the most surprising deliveries came in Belize, where a man had split from his partner before receiving the letter Beardmore brought: a love note. Weeks later, they reunited.

A delivery in Mexico City stood out most, where the letter came from a daughter thanking her mother for supporting her dreams even during illness. Beardmore stayed in touch with both of them afterward. To mark the end of his journey in March 2025, Beardmore hosted a gathering in London and invited everyone he had met. Many came from across countries and continents to celebrate the year of connection. "I was so touched and humbled. I’ve made friends for life," he said. He now plans to write a book and develop a film based on the project, though he admits he’s already "starting to get itchy feet."

If you're struggling to cope with grief, and need help, please reach out to Crisis Response at 1-800-203-CARE (2273)