Tomorrow, Saturday, the first Cycle Against Suicide SpinOff of 2016 is coming to Westport and the organisers want you to get involved. John Concannon, businessman and star of Secret Millionaire will cycle and speak at this locally run event, with Sean Putt, European Trials champion, on hand to showcase some of his bike skills and tricks. The Westport SpinOff promises to be filled with colour, fun and energy, while helping to create awareness that “it’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help.”
At 11am cyclists will take off from Rice College, Westport, travelling to Sancta Maria College Louisburgh. The route allows cyclists to take in the stunning natural beauty of the area, with Croagh Patrick to the east, and the Atlantic to the west. Entertainment, refreshments, and a mental health awareness event will be held in Louisburgh, reiterating the message that “it’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help”. The cycle will then return to Rice College for yet another warm welcome back in Westport.
The 45km route is the perfect opportunity to get out on the road and support this great cause, in what promises to be an incredibly uplifting and positive event. You do not have to be an avid cyclist to take part as all levels are catered for. If you would prefer to volunteer rather than cycle then the Westport SpinOff Committee is looking for supporters and volunteers in advance of the cycle as well as on the day of the event. A huge part of Cycle Against Suicide is the opportunity to talk, chat, make friends, and offer support.
Each year, Cycle Against Suicide brings together cyclists of all abilities with many different stories and many different “whys” for participating in part of, or all of, the two week cycle event, but each and every one is united in their desire to demonstrate that shoulder to shoulder, they can break the cycle of suicide in Ireland. The annual cycling event has seen more than 10,000 cyclists take to the roads of Ireland each year. The charity also has an extensive schools programme which engages with students throughout the year. This January students from three Mayo schools, Balla Secondary School, St Joseph's College, and St Gerald's College, attended an annual day long Students Leaders Congress, an event which saw 4,200 students converge in the RDS to highlight the importance of promoting positive mental health practices in schools and communities, as well as demonstrating to students the value of appreciating their own mental wellbeing.
Registration for the SpinOff is now open at cycleagainstsuicide.com Registration on the day will be at Rice College, Castlebar Road, Westport, from 8.30am to 10am.
