N4 event sends a message to men on mental health

FAMILIES, individuals and groups of friends took part in the Walk, Run, Cycle for Men’s Mental Health held on the new but yet unopened N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin road on Sunday.

The event was organised by Cllr Paul Taylor in partnership with Sligo County Council last Sunday.

Those taking part all had their own reasons for doing so and for some it was just to get a glimpse of the new road while also supporting a good cause.

A number of councillors and council staff took to their bicycles to cycle the

Some of the cyclists who participated. route, while others ran 10k or walked 5k to raise awareness and raise funds for North West Stop and Grasp Life Foundation.

Cllr Taylor, who is council cathaoirleach, said it was a day that all the family got involved in. “It was a day of fun and smiling faces that hopefully will send out the message that it’s good to talk,” he said. He said it was an enjoyable day on the new N4, “with a strong message to men who are struggling that they are not alone”. He said there were young children who cycled, walked and ran in the event and he thanked their families for getting them involved.

“I, along with my fellow councillors, planted A Tree of Hope (donated by Liam Feeney, Feeney’s Garden Centre). It’s an oak tree which will grow along the N4 , a permanent reminder to reach out for help.

“We all have dark days but for some it’s difficult to take the first step, so please do. The two wonderful charities North West Stop and Grasp Life Foundation are working so hard without government funding to help and support and prevent loss of life and that is why the donations from the event will go to them,” he said.

Cllr Taylor said that this was the first of a number of events he plans to hold to promote positive mental health.

Cllr Paul Taylor planting a ‘tree of hope’ on the new N4 section watched by fellow councillors Thomas Walsh, Donal Giloy, Martin Connolly, Gerard Mullaney, Thomas Healy, Michael Clarke, Martin Baker and Dara Mulvey.

A section of the crowd who attended the event.