The Cycle Against Suicide charity cycle event was a huge success as over 4,000 mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters participated in the suicide awareness drive which took place over the past 14 days.
Returning earlier today from the final leg of their journey from Dundalk to Dublin, wearing their jersey with pride, the sea of orange was led into Garda Boat Club, Islandbridge by Irish celebrities Bressie, Roz Purcell, Colm Hayes and Brent Pope.
The cyclists received an amazing welcome from the hundreds of supporters, backing the awareness campaign which covered 1,400km in total, not to mention visiting 28 schools and colleges around the country, hosting mental health presentations and highlighting the local mental health services that are available in each location where they stopped along the way; Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Killarney, Tralee, Limerick, Galway, Ballinrobe, Sligo, Letterkenny, Moville, Manorhamilton, Cavan, Monaghan and Dundalk.
The idea behind the project was developed by successful entrepreneur and international businessman Jim Breen, following the screening of a TV documentary ‘The Secret Millionaire’ which showed Jim visiting a suicide awareness group.
Speaking at the event, Jim said: “What an amazing last two days! Who would have thought that we were going to get 2,500 people cycling on these last two days alone, considering that our original target for the full two weeks was 1,000 people!
What an incredible show of strength that together, shoulder to shoulder, we can break the cycle of suicide in Ireland. I’m so proud to have been involved in this journey, along with so many others, including the Gardaí, the Civil Defence, The National Suicide Research Foundation, The National Office of Suicide Prevention, The Institute of Guidance Counsellors and Mental Health Ireland.
The message that it’s ok not to feel ok, that it’s more than ok to ask for help and that help is available locally, is now very clearly on the radar in Ireland. We are changing the way that mental health is perceived within Ireland. This has started – and it will not be stopped.”
Irish musician and star of RTE’s ‘The Voice’, Bressie, spoke of his involvement with the cycle: “The Cycle has had a massive impact on me personally and the positivity surrounding the cycle is immeasurable. I have been humbled by the stories my fellow cyclists have shared with me and I have been privileged to be able to tell my story to such receptive audiences. It’s time to break the cycle.”
Top Irish model Roz Purcell, who had put her work schedule on hold to participate in nearly all of the two week cycle, said: “I came on board for Cycle Against Suicide thinking of it as a physical challenge, not realising that what we are doing is changing the way a nation is thinking about mental health. Together, we are starting to remove the stigma surrounding mental health in Ireland and the Cycle has been an incredible part of that change.”
After a short rest, the cyclists went on to swap their sports gear for their glad rags as they attended the Cycle Against Suicide After Party at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, which was hosted by 2fm’s Colm Hayes, who had also joined the cyclists for most of their journey.
Speaking at the after party, Colm says “The support has been phenomenal, from the cyclists, all the volunteers who have helped out along the way and the Irish public who have cheered us along the roads each day. Lifelong friendships have been made, cycling clubs born, and wonderful memories created. This is something I, and everyone who has been involved with the Cycle Against Suicide in some way, will never ever forget.”
The After Party featured live music entertainment from the Heathers, Gavin Glass, Roisin O and Taken.
For further information on Cycle Against Suicide, visit www.cycleagainstsuicide.com, follow @CASuicide on twitter or visit Cycle Against Suicide on Facebook.
ENDS
Note to Editor:The project is supported by:- The Institute of Guidance Councillors, An Garda Síochána, National Suicide Research Foundation, National Office for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Ireland.