cycle against suicide 2016

peteeeed

https://regonline.activeeurope.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1760177

brianefox

Hi Thinking of doing the cycle against suicide next year , anybody wish to share their experiences.

roosterman71

Was thinking of doing a leg or two myself. Wasn't on it this year, but know a lad that was. It isn't tough by any stretch. Speed is slow (around 20km/h), with lots of stops on each leg to bring their message to schools, etc. So very relaxed by all accounts

Boscoirl

Did one leg of it last year,, Birr to Limerick, very relaxed pace, probably too slow for anyone that does 70km+ regularly.

It was my first group spin, and I enjoyed it immensely. It's a great message they are spreading.

Would love to do the whole route, but don't have enough holidays unfortunately. Might try do 2 days this year,

Tomred13

Hi Folks

well worth doing and different from other group spins. its very well marshalled and the local support in the host towns along the routes is amazing, everyone comes out to support and clap as ya pass. weve all been touched by suicide in ireland and the awareness that this event creates is invaluable. l did three stages last year and really enjoyed it. its a very friendly event and made loads of friends. as mentioned the pace is a steady 20-25km depending on the wind. expect to eat your weight in cakes and goodies...

funnights74

Had planned on doing a few days but the lack of Cork-Kerry stages has put the Kaibosh on that. Waterford and Tipperary are included but the logistics of Time off Work and family commitments means i'll leave it until another year.

Boscoirl

Had a decent look at the Route last night, thinking of doing Sligo to Roscrea (3 days) over the bank holiday weekend, just need to get the gf to agree to drop me to Sligo on the friday night

brianefox

Tks foe all replies. I might do Roscrea to waterford or maybe wexford

mamax

Did a leg this year and it was very enjoyable, the marshals were sound and they often pulled up for a chat, food stops were excellent and the message being delivered is an important one.
If anyone reading this has the time then maybe get a friend to join you and help spread the word, it was one of the best days I spent on a bike this year for many reasons, it's well organised and great craic so don't hesitate if your considering it !

Boscoirl

Signed up to the Ballinasloe to Roscrea leg on the Bank Holiday monday(2nd May)

peteeeed

was chatting to one of the marhsalls , the distances are shorter this year , from a rough average of 100km per day to 80

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^^^

so as to make it easier for the average joe??

peteeeed

fryup wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^^^^

so as to make it easier for the average joe??

Think so , the weather was pretty bad at times last year and some were struggling

fryup

bump!

so who's doing it this year??? might do the bank holiday monday leg myself

peteeeed

i'm doing the whole thing

Boscoirl

peteeeed wrote: »

i'm doing the whole thing

Jealous

P_1

Half tempted to try the Carrick leg on Sunday the 1st (coincides with my only day off). What time do they set out in the morning, conscious of the fact that I'll be setting off from Dublin

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^^^

all info here...

http://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Route-Details-2016.pdf

prionnsias

I cycled the first leg yesterday. While i thought it was overall quite good and well organised i found the pace to be painfully slow. It was also very tightly packed which makes it difficult to cycle if we are moving so slowly. I suppose its probably geared towards people who are cycling a few legs or the full 14 days.

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^

well alot of people struggled last year, so i suppose they've made a concious effort to make it as easy as possible...bit of a pain for experienced riders, but then again its not a race

philstar

peteeeed wrote: »

i'm doing the whole thing

any chance you could give us updates peteeeed ??

greenspurs

Too much money involved now ......

Solobally8

What charity does the money from this cycle go to?

cunavalos

Solobally8 wrote: »

What charity does the money from this cycle go to?

Cycle Against Suicide is a registered charity itself and publish their accounts online

The most recent accounts (2014) are here http://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/annaul_review_2014.pdf

fryup

greenspurs wrote: »

Too much money involved now ......

sure its going to a good charity

very little coverage in the media this year

Leroy42

2 people to run a cycle once a year? And be paid 50k each for that?

Sorry, but we are talking about raising 500k+ in donations. Raise awareness seems a lot like the LAF foundation. Not actually doing anything but putting up a few posters.

Instead of giving money to a PR firm why not give it directly to the charities that actually help, either those suffering from mental health issues or possible to those charities that provide solace and support for those left behind.

So it seems that many people are involved, many people give up their time and money but what actual effect does it have? I'm being cynical of course, but we have seen many examples of charities that seem to be more about the charity than the actual cause itself. They have fulfilled the statutory obligations but the accounts tell you nothing.

What work are they doing, what are they achieving, what do they need the money for and where is the money being spent?

Subcomandante Marcos

Leroy42 wrote: »

2 people to run a cycle once a year? And be paid 50k each for that?

Sorry, but we are talking about raising 500k+ in donations. Raise awareness seems a lot like the LAF foundation. Not actually doing anything but putting up a few posters.

Instead of giving money to a PR firm why not give it directly to the charities that actually help, either those suffering from mental health issues or possible to those charities that provide solace and support for those left behind.

So it seems that many people are involved, many people give up their time and money but what actual effect does it have? I'm being cynical of course, but we have seen many examples of charities that seem to be more about the charity than the actual cause itself. They have fulfilled the statutory obligations but the accounts tell you nothing.

What work are they doing, what are they achieving, what do they need the money for and where is the money being spent?

The founder, Jim Breen, does a lot of work himself in attracting media attention, sponsorship partners and logistical stuff. He takes no money from the organisation and donates a fair bit of his own money into it.

There are a few staff who do things like sourcing the gear, planning traffic management with local councils/gardai, source homestays for riders along the way, plan events in schools and community centres, meet insurance/public safety obligations and so on.

The charity is active all year doing events in schools, universities and communities across the island giving talks and work shops to young people on mental health issues and how to cope with them, ask for help, help someone out and sign posting services which can help.


It's easy to be cynical but they are extremely active year round and the administration costs are more than justified.

Leroy42

I accept all that, as I said I am being cynical, probably overly so.

But in the current era charities should be aiming to be as transparent as possible.

I am not trying to suggest that anything is wrong, and I fully applaud the work that is being done and all those, both staff and volunteers, that are involved are doing invaluable work.

I suppose my point was really that merely publishing the statutory accounts always leaves more questions than answers due to the nature of the report.

Subcomandante Marcos

Leroy42 wrote: »

I accept all that, as I said I am being cynical, probably overly so.

But in the current era charities should be aiming to be as transparent as possible.

I am not trying to suggest that anything is wrong, and I fully applaud the work that is being done and all those, both staff and volunteers, that are involved are doing invaluable work.

I suppose my point was really that merely publishing the statutory accounts always leaves more questions than answers due to the nature of the report.

Well maybe make a request for whatever information it is you would like to know?

iwillhtfu

Leroy42 wrote: »

I accept all that, as I said I am being cynical, probably overly so.

But in the current era charities should be aiming to be as transparent as possible.

I am not trying to suggest that anything is wrong, and I fully applaud the work that is being done and all those, both staff and volunteers, that are involved are doing invaluable work.

I suppose my point was really that merely publishing the statutory accounts always leaves more questions than answers due to the nature of the report.

Why not join in a leg or two of the cycle and experience it first hand?

I've completed various distances with the cycle since it's first year and I'd support it if for no other reason than the interaction it bring amongst the school kids in the schools they visit along the way.

Perhaps it may not be having the desired effect on a grander scale but tackling mental health starts with small steps.

We all know the issue we are having with mental health and some are trying to make a difference while some will always remain cynical.

Leroy42

My issue is not with the cycle, the charity or the cause, it is the transparency around where the money goes.

The accounts state that some 579k of money was raised, with only 28k available for surplus.

€294k was cost of sales, which my understanding means the costs required to raise the funds, so I am assuming PR, t-shirts, road closures, insurance etc etc.

Staff costs of 118k (it states an average of 2 people) and a further 138k on operating expenses (rent, rates, accountancy, light & Heat, travel expenses etc etc).

So of the 579k raised we are left with 28k.

Now even taking the cost of sales as being the actual work of the charity (as has been said raising awareness) it still means that only 50% is being used for that purpose.

Is that the best use of the resources? I have no idea, I am merely raising the question. If it saves someone's life than I would yes, it is worth it. If it saves one family from the heartbreak, guilt and trauma of suicide then I would agree that it is worth it.

Solobally8

Call me cynical or maybe I'm just slow but I don't understand what the point is. How's about giving the money raised to charities like Pieta house who actually work with people who need help? I suffer from depression, have been suicidal on more than one occasion and I work with vulnerable teenagers. I don't get how a group of people paying €50 to cycle in orange telling us it's ok not to feel ok makes any difference. Less stigma is fantastic but when a young boy is in the depths of despair those words mean nothing. Why not donate money raised to people who can't afford private counselling and can't wait for months to be seen through the public system?

iwillhtfu

Solobally8 wrote: »

Call me cynical or maybe I'm just slow but I don't understand what the point is. How's about giving the money raised to charities like Pieta house who actually work with people who need help? I suffer from depression, have been suicidal on more than one occasion and I work with vulnerable teenagers. I don't get how a group of people paying €50 to cycle in orange telling us it's ok not to feel ok makes any difference. Less stigma is fantastic but when a young boy is in the depths of despair those words mean nothing. Why not donate money raised to people who can't afford private counselling and can't wait for months to be seen through the public system?

Cynical.

Solobally8

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Cynical.

Ha ha! You are right of course.

perrier

I'm presuming the aim of the charity is to spend the money on the raising of awareness around mental health, and that's where the money goes (costs).

greenspurs

Cynical myself also.
It went from €40 , up to a max of €110, and this increase immediatley gets me suspicious.
Raises a lot of money, but what does it do with it?
The figures quoted are 18mths to 2 years old. The CaS 'organisation' now has full time coordinators, that help run this machine.
But what does it do ? It raises awareness? but is that actually helping the people that suffer with mental issues? Does it pay for therapy? counselling? .....
As someone already said ,Pieta house or Aware would be far better of if the 'Breen Machine' donated all profits from the CaS to them.......

greenspurs

perrier wrote: »

I'm presuming the aim of the charity is to spend the money on the raising of awareness around mental health, and that's where the money goes (costs).

Look at all the sponsors, supporters involved .........
I doubt there are much overheads/outlay involved...

velo.2010

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Perhaps it may not be having the desired effect on a grander scale but tackling mental health starts with small steps.

We all know the issue we are having with mental health and some are trying to make a difference while some will always remain cynical.

Tackling mental health starts with helping those that are suffering. Right now there are people waiting on a bed in the Lakeview mental health unit in Naas Hospital. That e579K could, in theory, be used to open some more bed space. But no, lets spend it on raising 'awareness' and propping up a charity bike ride.

We don't need half a dozen or more charities/agencies fighting for the public's consciousness and good will when it comes to mental health. We need one agency, one helpline, one government policy on mental health - not the piecemeal arrangement that currently exists and frankly doesn't work.

As for Bressie! What does he charge for corporate gigs now, 2-3 grand a pop? His website was created and is run by his talent agency. Yes, there's money to be made from mental health folks.

roosterman71

All this awareness talk is starting to get to me.

I'm fairly clued in to whats going on around me, and up till last year I'd never heard of "Cycle Against Suicide", and I've attended a fair few charity cycles around the place. I only heard of CaS cos someone I know designed posters for their ball last December (which I attended for €50). Since then even I only ever hear of it if my friend shares something on Facebook. So all this "raising awareness" is lost on me. Where are they raising it?

Subcomandante Marcos

roosterman71 wrote: »

All this awareness talk is starting to get to me.

I'm fairly clued in to whats going on around me, and up till last year I'd never heard of "Cycle Against Suicide", and I've attended a fair few charity cycles around the place. I only heard of CaS cos someone I know designed posters for their ball last December (which I attended for €50). Since then even I only ever hear of it if my friend shares something on Facebook. So all this "raising awareness" is lost on me. Where are they raising it?

Schools and universities mostly.

pedro_colnago

I've done a lot of charity cycles over the years and I seem to think the well is beginning to run dry, it seems to me it's getting harder to get sponsorship for them, due probably to there being more and more charity cycles out there.

fryup

personally speaking i think CAS is a great idea..combining mental health awareness with physical excercise ..as someone who suffers from depression myself anything that gets me out and about is a good thing...and as we all know one of the best ways to tackle mental illness is through exercise and socialising so in that sense it is a worthwhile campaign esp for those participating in it

man_no_plan

roosterman71 wrote: »

All this awareness talk is starting to get to me.

I'm fairly clued in to whats going on around me, and up till last year I'd never heard of "Cycle Against Suicide", and I've attended a fair few charity cycles around the place. I only heard of CaS cos someone I know designed posters for their ball last December (which I attended for €50). Since then even I only ever hear of it if my friend shares something on Facebook. So all this "raising awareness" is lost on me. Where are they raising it?

There is a massive issue with mental health and youth mental health in particular.

Raising awareness is about more than hearing about a particular event on the radio all the time.

There is a lot of stigma attached to any kind of mental illness be it schizophrenia or an eating disorder. If the attitude of teenagers can be changed then maybe it will make it easier for people to say theyre not well.

There is still a massive problem with services however, they can't cope as it is. I know in the school I'm in we are very limited in where we can refer someone. Its usually the GP and their only answer is the prescription pad.

But the messafe is still a good one, its okay not to feel okay.

fryup

.....and its absolutely Ok to ask for help

seanin4711

Awareness great but not much of a dent in suicide rates,unfortunately

Solobally8

fryup wrote: »

.....and its absolutely Ok to ask for help

That's great thanks. Can you help me with the €75 my local CBT therapist charges per session?

fryup

just finished two days - Ballinasloe to Tipperary town, had a whale of a time

big thumbs up to all involved in CAS, and big thank you to all those who prepared the big spread during the lunch stopovers, i stuffed my face

think i put on more weight than lost during the two days:p

thanks to all who cheered us on and to the trainee gaurds in Templemore

philstar

well its over for another year

who did it? ...who enjoyed it? twas a tad slow but then again its not a race it has to cater for all fitness levels

bit disapointed with kilmainham at the end, thought it was bit of a damp squib no
BBQ like last year...overall good though and very well organised

JK.BMC

Congratulations to all involved- exercise is good, cycling is excellent, and tackling mental health 'issues' is a worthy cause.

So now: I will keep it simple. Who gets the money?

seanin4711

JK.BMC wrote: »

Congratulations to all involved- exercise is good, cycling is excellent, and tackling mental health 'issues' is a worthy cause.

So now: I will keep it simple. Who gets the money?

sure who cares as long as your raising "awareness".

JK.BMC

seanin4711 wrote: »

sure who cares as long as your raising "awareness".

Maybe. But I'm unaware of where the money goes. That's all I'm wondering