Suicide campaigner runs from nenagh to borrisokane

Cycle Against Suicide founder Jim Breen visited Nenagh, Templemore and Borrisokane last week during his phenomenal 1,400km run across Ireland.
The Kerry businessman is running more than a marathon a day for four weeks to raise awareness of the 2015 Cycle Against Suicide, which begins in Belfast next Monday.
Departing from Dublin on March 30th, Jim is running the entire cycle route, averaging some 31 miles (50km) per day.
The founder of Tralee based company Pulse Learning, who has battled depression himself, arrived in Nenagh last Wednesday week, day 17 of his epic journey. That evening he was transported over to the Garda College in Templemore to give a talk on suicide to garda recruits.
Jim spent the night at Nenagh's Abbey Court Hotel, the management of which he wanted to thank for sponsoring Cycle Against Suicide. And he was in good spirits as he departed Nenagh on Thursday morning. He admitted to being physically weary and in some pain, but he knew to stop and rest if necessary and seek support from his physio.
“It's ok to ask for help,” he said in Nenagh. “It's just like the message that we're trying to get across: 'It's ok not to feel ok, and it's absolutely ok to ask for help'.”
Jim and his team has been repeating that mantra across the country as the Cycle Against Suicide campaign grows from strength to strength. And he has been delighted to find his gruelling series of long distance runs have drawn attention to that message.
“The support has been phenomenal,” said Jim, who has been joined on stages of his venture by a great many volunteers, among them some famous sports personalities.
“I think a lot of people know what I'm doing and they beep and cheer as they go past; that is encouraging. This a powerful message that I'm trying to get out, and I think that is appreciated.”
Jim also wanted to get the message out that participants in the cycle and their supporting teams are looking for accommodation. The cycle is due to arrive in Nenagh for an overnight on Saturday week, May 2nd. Cycle Against Suicide operates a Homestay programme that invites people from across Ireland to open up their homes to participants, provide them with a warm meal, a chance to freshen up and a bed for the night. Anyone wishing to get involved can apply through www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/homestay/.
Jim was looking forward to arriving in Borrisokane, where a 5k fun run was to take place at Borrisokane Community College later that day. He mentioned how he was part of a recent seminar on suicide at the school last year, which proved very successful.
In Borrisokane, Jim spoke to 550 students, teachers and members of the local community. Tipp hurling stars Niall O'Meara and Darren Gleeson were also there in support of the event, as were James Costello, Brian Gleeson and Willie Gleeson, the Nenagh trio driving a van to Beijing in aid of the Laura Lynn Foundation.
The 5k run took place around the school grounds and the adjoining athletics track. There was music, a barbeque, a teachers versus students soccer match and a teachers ice bucket challenge.
A great day was enjoyed by all and the event proved to be an example of how a community can unite to spread the word about mental health in a positive and healthy way.
Proceeds from the event are going towards counselling services and health services in the school, as well as Cycle Against Suicide. Some proceeds will also be donated to 'Team Bernie McGinn', which is participating in this year's Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk, led by Mark McGinn, a teacher at the school. Mr O'Connell, another teacher at Borrisokane Community College, participated in the incredibly tough Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert over the Easter break, also in support of the above named concerns. 
Borrisokane Community College wishes to thank the many generous benefactors that sponsored the event, including Acorn Life, Fusion Finance, Castle Signs, Ballygowan, Abbey Court Hotel, Darcy Meats, Donal Leenane, Hanlons, ABP Meats, Paul Cahalan Plastering, Athlone Costume Hire, Borrisokane Credit Union, Borrisokane Parents Association, Country Kitchen, Woodies, Mixer Carroll and O’Brien’s Spar, Borrisokane. Thanks also to Birr Order of Malta for attending on the day, and to John O’Farrell of Borrisokane Athletics Club and his team for helping out.

The Cycle Against Suicide will also pass through Borrisokane on Saturday week. Borrisokane Community College is holding a 'Sos Beag' between 12 and 12.30pm if members of the community would like to come out to support the cyclists as they pass through the town. Remember the theme colour for Cycle Against Suicide is orange, and if any businesses or shops in the Borrisokane area could decorate their shop fronts in orange, it would be greatly appreciated and would give the cyclists a great boost on the day.
Cyclists wanting to register for the Birr to Limerick stage of the cycle can do so at www.cycleagainstsuicide.com