Share the Load

Cycle Against Suicide are delighted to launch Share the Load on the Road, a virtual 670km cycling challenge that gives everyone in Ireland the chance to support one another.

Share the Load on the Road replaces Cycle Against Suicide’s annual Main Cycle. For over 8 years, our Main Cycle benefitted people across the country, bringing people together in solidarity and awareness.  We are committed to keeping that spirit alive, but due to COVID-19 it’s going to look a LOT different this year.

Over the next 5 weeks, we want you to get on your bike and start exploring your county again.  Here’s the twist: In the spirit of mutual support that our annual Main Cycle has come to represent and to coincide with our recently launched Community Buddy Programme, https://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/community-buddy/ , we are asking you to complete the challenge with your buddy. So, nominate a buddy or buddies to join you and together, Share the Load on the Road! 

The funds raised from Share the Load on the Road, will go towards the training of ‘Buddies’, https://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/community-buddy/ , who can provide free, ongoing support on mental health issues in your local communities.  The cost of training a ‘Community Buddy’ is €400 and with your support, we want to raise €40,000 and train 100 buddies. Better still why not nominate your local club or association and fundraise for the training of your local community buddy.

What is a Community Buddy?

Often people who are on the brink of suicide just need someone they can turn to.  Community Buddies are trained to provide a listening ear and show empathy to those in mental health distress. They are taught how to support individuals so they may take positive, resilience- enhancing actions and adopt positive coping strategies. They are instructed on how to identify individuals with significant levels of distress and how to practically manage such situations by mentoring the individual to seek appropriate professional help.

Cycle Against Suicide is working to train and deploy ‘Community Buddies’ across Ireland as quickly as possible, not just during Covid, but to be a constant support in their local communities. Our aim is to put in place a grassroots network of Buddy support, provided by locals to locals, to be available immediately and most importantly to be free of charge.

Will you join us?

Registration is €15 and includes a t-shirt or rain jacket. An idonate fundraising page will automatically be set up for you to help us reach our target. Remember to spread the word by sharing your progress on social media, tagging @Cycle Against Suicide and using our hashtag #Sharetheloadontheroad.

Together let’s avoid the devastation that a lack of mental health support can cause!