Having seen first hand friends and people I know dying from suicide I wanted to support an organisation that helps support people living with mental health difficulties. The main aim of the group is to continually work toward lowering the incidence of suicide in the communities represented and increase awareness around mental health and suicide by looking at ways of building supports which are easy to access and are affordable to the communities it serves. Shine a Light Suicide Awareness Group provide the following local services: Low cost counselling; through the Coisceim Counselling service, provision of SafeTALK and ASIST Suicide Awareness Trainings, the rolling out of bereavement support groups in communities and sign posting people to supports offered by other organisations. Ongoing promotion of positive mental health in the community through the use of information wallet cards, posters and leaflets.

What is the Connemara 100 Mile Ultra Marathon?

The Connemara 100 on the West Coast of Ireland is run over a measured and certified course. The 2012 event was AAI permitted and awarded an IAU Bronze Label.

The course is simply fabulous, taking participants from Clifden through Letterfrack, Lettergesh, the Inagh Valley, Maam Cross, Leenane, Inagh Valley again, then on to Roundstone, Ballyconneely and back to Clifden to complete 100 miles.

There is a 30 hour limit and every participant must have their own crew with them at all times to look after water, food etc.

There will be medical support but because the course stretches over such a long distance there may be up to 25 miles between aid stations. So experienced crew support is essential and mandatory.