Thurles cycle for tipp homesless service

A charity cycle in aid of North Tipp homeless service provider Novas Initiatives will set out from Thurles on Sunday May 10th.

Novas Initiatives is a voluntary organisation that works mainly with single adults, families and children who are disadvantaged and socially excluded from society, primarily those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Novas' services are mainly offered in North Tipperary, in Nenagh, Newport and Thurles.
The charity cycle on May 10th is organised by the Pallottine Fathers along with Novas Initiatives in Thurles. Cyclists are invited to join in a short or long cycle – 25 km, 50km or 100km. Experienced cyclists will guide each group.
We shall start at the Pallottine College in Thurles at 12 noon for the 25km cycle, 11am for the 50km cycle and 10am for the 100km cycle. A donation of €10 for the shorter cycles or €20 for the 100km cycle will provide help and support for people who are in real need. All cycles will finish at the Pallottine College where refreshments will be provided.
Opened in 2011, Novas at Mitchel Street in Thurles provides accommodation for five individuals from North Tipperary. Having identified a need for a service in the area, following a number of instances of rough sleeping, Novas Initiatives developed this medium-threshold facility to accommodate people out of home.
Some of the issues facing the residents of the Mitchel Street premises include family breakdown, care leavers needing additional support, substance and alcohol misuse, mental health issues and social marginalisation. Many of the clients have been excluded from mainstream society for much of their lives due to their background, challenging behaviour and poor mental health.  We strive to support our residents to re-engage in their local communities in an empathic and non-judgemental manner.
The work that we do here in Thurles would not be possible without the ongoing support we receive both from our funders and the kindness of people in the community. This year we are trying to raise funds to complete a garden project, which the residents have been involved in from the beginning. We have built a wall; a garden shed, and we also keep four laying hens. We are now raising funds to have the lawn completed and do some planting for the summer months.
Any help that we receive is greatly appreciated by staff and residents alike. If you would like any more information on the service we provide, please do not hesitate to contact Deborah Ryan (Project Coordinator), 0504-58838 / 083-1068726 / Deborah.ryan@novas.ie.
For more information on the cycle taking place on May 10th contact Richard Ryan on 087 416 9146 or Fr Martin Mareja on 089 497 6562.