URGENT - Newry Accommodation needed for Suicide Awareness Cycle

Newry is hosting a leg of the national Cycle Against Suicide at the end of April and organisers urgently need help from Newry based community groups and organisations or even individuals to help secure and allocate the beds needed for cyclists and crew for the overnight stop. If you can help please get in touch with the organisers as quickly as you can at 00353 872249204.

A call was put out a month ago without success and with just six weeks to go to the stopover in Newry on Sunday 29 April it's getting urgent.

Cycle Against Suicide operates a Homestay Programme that sees people and families from across the Island of Ireland open their homes to participants of the Cycle each year, providing them with a warm meal, a chance to freshen up and a bed for the night. This provides the opportunity to lend your support without necessarily having to get on a bike.

Homestay Coordinator Anne McGowan is willing to meet up with volunteers to explain what's involved "In my capacity of National Coordinator, I am trying put a Homestay Coordination Team into Newry in order to secure a Homestay for the 200 Cyclists and Back Up Crew and I am looking for your support. Over the last number of years community groups and organisations have come together to secure and allocate the beds needed for the overnight stop.

"If you or members of your organisation would be interested in helping please do not hesitate to contact me for further information by return email or my mobile is 00353 872249204.

If on this occasion you are unable to do so, please let me know."

Cycle Against Suicide is a national suicide prevention charity striving to break down the barriers around mental health illness and is working to increase awareness of the supports and treatments that are available to empower those affected.

Their main cycle and fundraising event which is part of a national awareness campaign takes place from April 28 to May 7 2018. This 750 km route will travel North and South of Ireland visiting towns and villages along the way.

Help them spread the message “It’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help" and break the cycle of suicide on the island of Ireland.