A man cycled from Ballymun to Killarney to raise vital funds for Pieta House and to highlight the importance of reaching out for help after beating his own personal mental health struggles.
Paul Davison recently got in touch with the charity after being in a dark place for many years. He took on the daring challenge in order to raise as much money as possible for people that will need similar support.
Thankfully, the well-known Ballymun Soup Run volunteer says he has never felt happier after reaching out for help. His fundraiser has already raised more than €1,000. Paul told Dublin Live that there is often still a stigma around mental health problems in this country, particularly among men.
Read more: Determined Celbridge lads start gruelling cycle to Geneva in aid of children's charities
Paul said: "The idea came about 4 months ago. I’ve always suffered with me mental health for years and was always scared to reach out and seek the help. I got the courage to reach out the pieta house, to help me get back into a good place in my own head. I just wanted to give something back to them to help the next person who’s fighting with their own mental health.
"I'm feeling a whole lot better probably the happiest I’ve ever felt. I’ll never allow myself to hold back my feelings and thoughts again.
"Ever since opening up properly I feel like a whole new person and see a better way of life. I think all men find it hard to open up about their mental health, I think that’s why a lot turn to drugs and alcohol to take away their pain for a while.
"To be honest, I don’t think there’s a lot of help or awareness in Ireland about mental health. My own godfather passed away in 2006 by suicide and the effects it has on the whole family is horrible."
Paul took on the gruelling cycle with his uncle Noel. However, he admits he wouldn't be in a rush to do it again without the aid of a motor.
He said: "Put it this way I wouldn’t do it again unless it was a motor bike! We cycled from Ballymun to Tipperary on day one which took close to 12 hours, including a couple of breaks to refuel. Tipperary to Killarney on day two took approximately seven and a half hours.
"It was definitely tough. We went from Ballymun and didn’t take a break until we got to Naas.
"That was fairly handy enough cause we were in a routine but after having a break, it got really tough especially on the country back roads and up hills.
Paul said he was over the moon having completed the cycle, after doubting he would be able to finish it off.
"I’ve a good mindset lately and I’ve always said you can do what ever you want in life once you put your mind to it," he said.
"I've also done it to forgive myself for my actions I’ve done in the past, things that I’m not proud of. I just want to deeply apologise to everyone that’s seen bad behaviour from me while I was suffering. I’m in a very good place now and I never wanna hurt anyone from my behaviour ever again."
Paul was blown away by the support for the charity cycle with people even approaching the pair in The Brehon Hotel at the end to donate cash. As always, the people of Ballymun also had his back.
He said: "The Ballymun community always support our own people through everything. The donations starting flying in quick and fast the weekend we did it.
"I was overwhelmed that I reached the fundraising target I set out to reach. That's what made it all worth it."
You can donate to Paul's fundraiser here.
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