Local students gear up for charity cycle

STUDENTS and teachers from St Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School, Killester, joined former Miss World, Rosanna Davison, and Irish entrepreneur Jim Breen last week for the launch of a major charity event.

Cycle Against Suicide 2014 will take place from Monday, April 28 to Sunday, May 11 and will travel through Northern Ireland on May 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Jim Breen founded Cycle Against Suicide as a result of his experience on RTE programme

‘The Secret Millionaire’.

While working with a suicide awareness group in Dublin as part of the show, Jim was moved to reveal and confront his own struggles with depression. He saw the devastating effects of suicide on Irish life but also witnessed the life-saving impact that such organisations can have on people’s lives.

In order to confront the stigma attached to seeking help with mental health and to raise awareness of the supports available, he started Cycle Against Suicide.

Practice for the 2014 Cycle kicked off last Thursday week (September 26), as Jim and Rosanna led a group of cyclists in their trademark orange jerseys on the short trip from RTE to Ballsbridge.

Although his on-air commitments prevented him from joining the cycling group, 2FM DJ and Cycle Against Suicide ambassador, Colm Hayes, sent the cyclists his best wishes from the studio and gave reassurances that he was already practicing for the 2014 cycle.

Cycle Against Suicide 2013 exceeded even the wildest expectations of its organisers. Over 2,500 participants took to the roads over the course of two weeks and travelled through 109 cities, towns and villages all over the Republic of Ireland.

Along the way, the participants stopped at schools, universities and colleges, with speakers engaging with over 15,000 students throughout the 14 days.

Speaking at the launch, Jim Breen said:

“Last year’s cycle created wonderful-lifelong memories for everyone who took part and saw two and a half thousand people standing together, shoulder to shoulder, to break the cycle of suicide.

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Mr Breen said there are two main goals of the Cycle Against Suicide initiative.

“The first is to spread the message that it’s ok not to feel ok and it’s more than ok to ask for help,

? he stated.

“The second goal is to promote and raise awareness of the considerable amount of help and support available within communities to people who are battling with mental health issues.

“When someone takes their own life, they take with them the power for anyone to help them and every last answer to the countless questions they leave behind.

“Suicide touches every family in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. That was evidenced by the enthusiastic welcome offered to us by communities all along the route.

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Mr Breen added:

“Together we are working to enter a new chapter in the battle against suicide and to break that cycle.

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