The huge event gets underway tomorrow, Sunday, from the Phoenix Park in Dublin.
One of Ireland’s biggest participation sportives gets underway on Sunday when the Cycle Against Suicide rolls out from Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
The event will visit a huge number of places all over the island of Ireland - see route below - in the next two weeks and participants can complete any section of the route that suits them, however small.
There are two legs each day and both are approximately 40km in length.
The sportive continues for two weeks and covers a total course of 1,100km. The aim of the event is to raise awareness about mental health and to fundraise for the same cause.
Cycle Against Suicide was started by entrepreneur Jim Breen as a result of his appearance on RTE’s The Secret Millionaire programme.
Advertisement
As well as increasing general awareness around mental health and seeking to raise money, the cycle also aims to publicise the considerable help and supports that are available for anyone battling depression, self harm, at risk of suicide or those bereaved by suicide.
It aims to create a very tangible and practical opportunity for people who want to support those who have been affected by suicide.
We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that the sun shines on the riders and the event is a success again.
Related News
The event has also adopted the slogan “it’s ok not to feel ok and it’s absolutely ok to ask for help”.
The moto has been devised as part of the effort to break down the stigma sometimes associated with depression or mental health conditions generally and to begin a conversation across Irish society.
As well as the thousands who take part in the event and all of the schools, community groups and other organisations visited by the riders to promote having a conversation about mental health, the event generates huge media attention.
And because the cycle lasts for two weeks, that publicity far exceeds anything that a one-day charity event could deliver.
Stickybottle would like to wish everyone taking part and fundraising the very best of luck and a safe journey around Ireland, hopefully the weather is good to the army of riders and officials.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the event as it goes.
And though the start is now upon us, it’s by no means too late to join a section of the sportive, where the emphasis is focussed exclusively on participation without any performance expectations.
You’ll get all of the information you need on the event’s website – CycleAgainstSuicide.com.
The event's reach is truly nationwide and it goes on for a fortnight.
Topics
