Love cycling? This charity event will be right up your alley
Each year, Cycle Against Suicide brings together cyclists with different backgrounds and stories to help break the cycle of suicide in Ireland.
Since 2013, the event has seen over 15,000 cyclists take to the roads to help spread the message that ‘it’s OK not to feel OK' and 'it’s absolutely OK to ask for help’.
The official 2018 route schedule and map are now live – the 2018 cycle is the biggest and best event yet. The route will pass through 17 counties and 67 towns, stopping at 40 locations throughout the 750 km route between the Republic and Northern Ireland, rallying hope and support in localities around the nation.
Over 800 people die by suicide on the island of Ireland each year; 800 families and communities devastated; 800 lives cut short.
The power of the cycle and its message is something that brings families, communities, organisations, schools, individuals and cyclists of all abilities together with a common purpose of ending the cycle of suicide in Ireland today.
"We all know someone affected by mental illness. Even now stigma stops people from seeking help. It is due to stigma, fear and lack of understanding that many of us don’t talk about it," CEO of Cycle Against Suicide, Caroline Lafferty said.
"At Cycle Against Suicide, we are working with the people of Ireland to break down these barriers working to increase awareness of the support networks and treatments that are available to empower those affected. Mental health illness like any other illness is treatable.
"While some progress has been made in terms of prioritising mental health, the continued impact of the stigma surrounding this issue remains at large. Our cycle is an opportunity not just to raise awareness of the many services available to those in pain, but also acts as a shining example of support for our fellow community members, proving there truly is strength in numbers, and we hope the sea of orange shows that no one should be afraid to seek the support of others.
"Register as a cyclist today and together, shoulder to shoulder, let’s break the cycle of suicide in Ireland. The 2018 Cycle Against Suicide Main Cycle takes place from April 28th to May 7th and will be visiting the following towns:
Start: Westmanstown Dublin morning of April 28th.
Navan 28th April
Newry 29th April
Belfast 30th April
Dungannon 1st May
Omagh 2nd May
Ballyshannon 3rd May
Ballina 4th May
Carrick on Shannon 5th May
Mullingar 6th May
Finish: Dublin May 7th
Cycle Against Suicide 2018 main cycle will take place from Saturday, 28 April 2018 – Monday, 7 May 2018. Register your support at http://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/get-involved/2018-cycle/.