HAVING taken a break last year due to Covid-19 Peadar White, who recently turned 78, will be back in the saddle this weekend in support of the Samaritans Ennis and Clare.
Peadar will be completing a stationary cycle on Saturday at the Height in O’Connell Street, Ennis from 9am to 6pm, and he’s urging people to come out and show their support for the invaluable work of the Samaritans.
Peadar’s cycle is just one of a number of events which have been organised this month to raise funds and awareness of the round-the-clock emotional support services provided by the Samaritans.
Samaritans Ennis and Clare volunteers will be walking 7 km on 24/7, or July 24, at 7pm around Ennis to encourage the community to reach out for help. And the public are being urged to help raise funds for the organisation by taking part in a ‘Samarathon’ and running, walking or cycling the equivalent of a marathon across July.
Looking ahead to this Saturday’s cycle Peadar says he’s delighted to be back helping to raise funds for the Samaritans. Peadar’s cycles had become a regular event at Ennis’ O’Connell Monument, however two years ago due to Covid he had to change his original plans and instead took on a 12 hour socially distant cycle at his home.
And last year he was unable to do the cycle as he was recovering from Covid-19 himself. He reveals that the training for this year’s cycle has been particularly helpful in his recovery. “When I got Covid it really affected me in the legs, apparently a lot of people are affected in that way. Because of that I wasn’t able to go walking as much as I usually do, but a friend recommended to me that I go cycling and it’s really helped. I thought to myself this Covid is not going to best me, it’s a case of mind over matter. So I go out now cycling everyday on the new River Fergus Walk and Cycleway and my legs are back in action. It was a pity I had to cancel last year, but we’re going for it 100% and I’ve been out training since Christmas. We’re flying it now.”
Having not been able to do the cycle in the Height in recent years, he is particularly looking forward to seeing the people of the town cheering him on on Saturday. “It will be fantastic to have people with us for the cycle and we’ll have Samaritans volunteers there as well collecting for the organisation which does so much good work. I’ve also had great support from Clare County Council who are facilitating us holding the cycle while Irish Water are doing the works on the street.”
People will be able to make donations to the bucket collection on Saturday, while those who can’t make it can give virtually through https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11442872_peadar-white-cycle-for-samaritans-ennis-and-clare.html
This July, Samaritans Ennis and Clare is highlighting the power of talking as part of the charity’s annual Talk to Us awareness campaign and reminding the public that its volunteers are there around the clock to offer a listening ear to anyone who is struggling to cope.
As part of Talk to Us month, branches across the UK and Ireland will mark Samaritans Awareness Day on Sunday, July 24, one of the most important days in the charity’s calendar, to help spread the message that volunteers are available to listen to anyone who is struggling – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Volunteers from Clare Samaritans will be chatting to the community to raise awareness of its emotional support service and encourage people to get in touch if they need support. Members of the Clare community are invited to come and talk to volunteers to find out more about the branch and its work in the local area too.
Samaritans Ennis and Clare are self- funded and all monies are raised by our volunteers through events or by members of the Clare community who organise events on our behalf. From July 1 to 31 the organisation is hosting a ‘Samarathon’ with participants urged to run walk or cycle a marathon (26.2 miles) or more in July and get sponsorship in aid of Samaritans Ennis and Clare or alternatively donate to one of their volunteers.
Local volunteer Ann Gillan is taking part in Samarathon and donations can be made to https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11442879_samarathon-complete-a-marathon—walk–run-or-cycle–for-the-samaritans-in-july.html
or
https://samarathon.enthuse.com/samaritansennisclare/profile
Alternatively a cheque or cash can either be dropped in or posted to Samaritans Ennis and Clare Kilrush Road V95 V004.
Anyone can contact Samaritans for free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit, or you can email jo@samaritans.ie Join in the conversation on social media using #TalkToUs.