Recently I was made unemployed due to Covid. Being unemployed during a global pandemic brought new vulnerabilities and insecurities that I hadn’t felt before. Thankfully I had incredible support from my family and close friends who helped me cope with the anxieties I faced. Sadly many young people experience mental struggles on a daily basis, far worse than my own and don’t have the support they need.

We are entering another lockdown today, which is sure to be a very challenging time for everyone especially those suffering with mental health issues. Coupling my recent experiences and wanting to remain positive during lockdown, I have set a goal to raise much needed funds for Jigsaw Limerick. 

Jigsaw Limerick is a free and confidential youth mental health service for people aged 12-25 year olds. Jigsaw offers a service to any young person who lives, attends education and/or works in Limerick. They offer support to young people who are facing anything from everyday worries and stresses, up to more serious issues such as emerging mental health difficulties. 

If this challenge encourages one person to reach out to Jigsaw, than it’s been a success. So please go follow them and support them. 

My aim is to raise as much awareness and funds as possible by running 420km during the 42 day lockdown. 10k per day for 42 days. So far, five Limerick based companies have come on board and agreed to donate €1 per KM I run, guaranteeing a min of €2000 will be raised throughout this challenge. Massive thank you to: Quirke & Shaw Cleaning supplies, Limerick Lions Club, Maxol Mace Dooradoyle, JS Contractors and Serosep Ltd for offering sponshorship. 

I have an iDonate page (link in bio) shared on my Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook with the hope of raising as much funds as possible for this amazing charity. Any donation big or small would mean a massive amount to Jigsaw Limerick and the young people they help on a daily basis.

I will be documenting all my runs on the Strava app, whilst adhering to the 5km restriction. I will post a weekly update of my distance ran and funds raised on all my social media outlets. 

If you know of any companies/people who'd be willingly to donate, please DM me. 

Please feel free to share, like or donate as it all contributes to the overall goal of raising awareness for a much need mental health service.