Wow: Laois father to cycle from Malin to Mizen to raise funds for Pieta
Laois man wants to end stigma around mental health
A Laois man has bravely taken on a challenging fundraiser, all in aid of a fantastic cause.
Mountmellick man Hugh O’Brien will cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head this June to raise money for Pieta, the suicide and self-harm prevention charity.
Originally from the Curragh and now living in Laois with his wife Nicole and their two children, Mr O’Brien is hoping that Laois locals will get behind him on this gruelling 700km fundraiser.
“I decided to do this to give back to Pieta, having seen the work they do myself,” Mr O’Brien told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
“I got great help with them in Athlone, and I wanted to give back. Sadly, we all know people who have died by suicide, and you never would’ve known that they were struggling.
“There’s such a stigma around mental health, it’s very taboo to talk about- especially with men. It’s terrible when people sadly take their own lives, while you never even knew they were struggling,” he said.
“I never thought that I would need counselling. If you had told me a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed you. What Pieta does is so amazing, and I couldn’t believe that only five percent of their funding is from the Government.
“A lot of men are ashamed to say they’re struggling, they couldn’t imagine talking about it. They shouldn’t be ashamed, we need to remove the stigma. People talking about mental health makes it more familiar and less taboo,” Mr O’Brien said.
Having recently taken up cycling, Mr O’Brien found that he loves it. Each day, he cycles an hour and a half from Mountmellick to his workplace in Newbridge.
“I have a newfound respect for cyclists since I started myself- you get a lot of abuse from road users,” he said.
“I got into cycling, and did a charity cycle for cancer not too long ago. I decided that if I did a cycling fundraiser that was as big as this one, it would get more people talking about Pieta and help to raise money,” he explained.
Mr O’Brien will set off from Malin Head on Sunday, June 21, with his wife and two children following him in a campervan they have rented.
“Nicky and the kids will come along in the camper, we’re planning to do 40km sections where she will drive on and I’ll catch up. I think I’m the one with the easier job- it’ll be easier doing the cycle than keeping the kids entertained in the camper!” he laughed.
Mr O’Brien hopes to get a mounted bike seat for his son Hughie (1) and for his daughter Heidi (4) to ride her bike the last few metres across the finish line with him.
“Nicky has been such a fantastic support to me. When you have a bad day, coming home to her and the kids just makes you feel so much better,” he said.
Adorably, the children will be wearing sponsored ‘crew’ t-shirts to match Mr O’Brien’s Pieta cycling gear, all kindly sponsored by Jennifer Clegg from David Clegg Signage and Embroidery.
“We really want to thank local businesses that have backed us in this fundraiser. Peter McElwee from McElwee’s pharmacy has been an amazing sponsor, we can’t thank him enough for his support. The same goes for David Clegg and his team, their sponsoring of the gear means so much,” Mr O’Brien praised.
The O’Brien family wished to thank all who have donated to Hugh’s fundraiser so far, with 100% of funds raised going directly to Pieta.
“To see people get behind you on this is unreal. You see the turnout at the Darkness into Light walks- there’s something so special about them, the way we all get together. Knowing that people are backing me on this motivates me even more, it means a lot to me,” he said.
“I have sat in waiting rooms with Pieta and seen young kids of all ages waiting for their appointments too, it’s heartbreaking. Any money donated will go towards supports, and we hope that sharing the fundraiser will help end the stigma,” Mr O’Brien finished.
Those who wish to support Hugh O’Brien in his Malin to Mizen fundraiser in aid of Pieta can donate here.
For updates on Mr O’Brien’s fundraiser, keep an eye on the Leinster Express / Laois Live.