Fórsa cycles for mental health
by Róisín McKane
 
Proceeds from the cycle will be distributed amongst four charities: First Fortnight, Limerick Suicide Watch, Pieta House Kerry, and Suicide or Survive.
Proceeds from the cycle will be distributed amongst four charities: First Fortnight, Limerick Suicide Watch, Pieta House Kerry, and Suicide or Survive.

Fórsa staff and activists donned their cycle gear last week as they set off on the union’s Covid Compliant Conference Charity Cycle in aid of mental health charities.

 

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Fórsa’s traditional biennial charity cycle from Limerick to Killarney, which has raised over €150,000 in recent years, was unable to take place in its usual form. The event organisers pressed ahead with the union fundraiser, with ensuring that Covid guidelines were adhered to.

 

The charity cycle, which took place last Friday saw Dublin-based participants bike 100km around the county. Members and activists outside of Dublin took part in their own 100km cycle in various locations.

 

Proceeds from the cycle will be distributed amongst four charities: First Fortnight, Limerick Suicide Watch, Pieta House Kerry, and Suicide or Survive.

 

All are involved in suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and support for families who have been bereaved by suicide.

 

Fórsa official Dessie Robinson explained that these charities need our help more than ever. “Mental health charities have seen a huge drop in donations due to the cancelling of fundraising events, despite an increase in demand of services. They need our support,” he said.

 

Suicide claimed over 400 lives last year, and thousands more are suffering with mental health problems. “Anything that we can do collectively to help is always appreciated,” said Dessie.

 

Donations to the charity cycle are still open and Dessie is calling on those to give what they can. “In the past branches have been very generous and we are again asking for you to dig deep to support this worthy cause,” he said.

 

If you want to help, send cheques made out to ‘Fórsa Charity Cycle’ to Bríd Ruddle, Fórsa, Nerney’s Court, Dublin, D01 R2C5.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact the union HERE.

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