World Suicide Prevention Day, which takes place on September 10, will see a group of Dublin bikers embark on a journey to Wexford in aid of Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland.
Saoirse Le Cheile, a group set up by Dubliner Ned Curran, will take on the journey and make a number of stops along the way to place teddy bears and posters for people who might be struggling with their mental health. Ned lost someone close to him through suicide and is now certified in suicide prevention.
In 2021, he and a flock of bikers made the journey to Cork to complete a total of 340km, a kilometre for each person lost to suicide that year. They raised around €6,000 for Pieta House. Making the journey to Wexford this year, stops along the way for the 70+ bikers will include places where people might go for headspace when struggling with their mental health or where they might be in danger if dying by suicide.
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At the end of the journey at Wexford Quay, there will be a special event for all to attend which will feature a dove release, speakers, live music, tea and coffee and an evening raffle. There will also be plenty of networks there which are involved in suicide prevention.
The gang will take off from outside the Generator Hotel in Smithfield on the day. Speaking about why he decided to organise the event, Ned told Dublin Live: "It needs to be okay for people to open up and talk to each other.
"We want to encourage people to reach out to their friends and family when they're struggling. Talk to people you trust and tell them how you're feeling."
Ned also revealed that this year, the teddy bears placed at various locations will be named after people who were lost to suicide.
Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland, the organisation which will receive the funds raised from this event, has been working for over 10 years to provide free education and training services to schools and colleges around Ireland.
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