by Alan Jacques
CYCLE Against Suicide founder Jim Breen will leave the bike behind this April as he runs through Limerick city and county to raise awareness of the supports available for those who feel suicidal.
Jim is running the entire route of the annual 1,400kms cycle, ahead of the main event to encourage people to register for this year’s charity fundraiser, which kicks off on April 27. On April 14, he will run from Glin to Limerick City and on April 15 from Limerick to Nenagh, clocking up an average of 50km (31 miles) each day.
Joining him along the route will be well known faces from the sporting world including Sonia O’Sullivan and motivational speaker and runner Gerry Duffy. Jim and the Cycle Against Suicide team are also inviting local schools and community groups to get behind ‘Run for Cycle Against Suicide’ by joining in 5km Fun Runs/Walks in conjunction with Athletics Ireland.
“Since its foundation three years ago, Cycle Against Suicide has made incredible inroads in breaking the cycle of suicide on the island of Ireland. We have met with communities across the length and breadth of Ireland, all of whom have reached out to us with open arms. However, we are acutely aware of people we have not yet made contact with and the run is designed to do just that,” Jim explained.
“By accessing new audiences, we will make more and more people aware of the supports that are available to them in their own communities. We want everyone to know, that it’s okay not to feel okay; and it’s absolutely okay to ask for help,” he said.
Registering for Cycle Against Suicide can be done online at www.cycleagainstsuicide.com.
