Next Sunday, September 15, hundreds of people will take to the streets of Ballina for the Console suicide prevention and postvention memorial walk which will be started by “Martin Lavin” (Eddie Durkin of The Hardy Bucks ) along with his friends.
Console is calling on families, friends, school friends and work colleagues to take to the streets of Ballina for the Console Memorial Walk in aid of the suicide bereaved and suicide prevention service.
The charity is hoping that people from every county in Ireland will seize the opportunity to take part in the 6.5 kilometre challenge and help raise funds for families whose lives have been torn apart as a result of the loss of a loved one through suicide and those in suicidal crisis in their centres in Midfield, Swinford and the Family Resource Centre, Ballina.
The annual memorial walk entitled “Walk & Talk in Memory of Our Loved Ones” takes place next Sunday, September 15, at 2pm. The starting point is at the Family Resource Centre, Ballina and the route leads along the River Moy, circles the town of Ballina and ends back at the Family Resource Centre, where weary walkers can enjoy celebratory refreshments.
Margaret Tierney of Console explained: “Fundraising events such as the Console Memorial Walk are at the request of family and friends who have lost a loved one to suicide and this event is crucial to maintain suicide bereavement services in Mayo.”
Console is a national organisation with centres in Galway, Limerick, Wexford, Cork, Athlone, Dublin and Tralee. Ms Tierney pointed out that all monies raised in Mayo will be used for the services in the Mayo area and Console are actively looking at opening an outreach centre in Castlebar. Console must raise 100 per cent of the funding for Mayo themselves and this they do through fundraising initiatives.
Ms Tierney added that she was overwhelmed at the tremendous response from the people of Mayo and the bordering region to what Console have planned for the future. “We are very aware that everyone has to tighten their belts and are being asked for money from every angle, so we really appreciate any support, even if supporters only raise a very small amount. Seeing the devastation of families whose lives will never be the same again inspires us to keep going and provide the support that we can. It all adds up, so we really do literally value every euro that sponsorship can raise.”
All monies raised from the walk will go towards offering counselling and support to families and children bereaved through suicide and those in suicidal crisis in the Mayo facility in Swinford and Ballina.
Console offers a 24 hour free phone national helpline 1800 201 890 for those bereaved through suicide and any persons in suicidal crisis.
For further information or sponsorship packs contact Anne on 087 195 5990.
