Tummery stalwart takes on Cycle Against Suicide challenge

A HIGHLY-valued volunteer of Tummery Athletic Football Club, who lost both his parents in the space of 18 months, is cycling the length of Ireland to raise funds and awareness of suicide.

Seamus Bradley, a fire-fighter from Dromore, has signed up for the Cycle Against Suicide Malin to Mizen Challenge, which takes place at the end of May.

Seamus’s mother Mary, who he cared for, passed away in June 2020 following a long illness, and his father Francis died no further away than January.

The Dromore man admits that the loss of both his parents in such a short period of time hit him hard. He is extremely thankful for the support he received for everyone during those ‘dark days’, particularly from those involved with his beloved Tummery.

“My mother who I looked after was diagnosed with a condition that got worse and passed away in June 2020, which shook me quite badly and had many a dark day throughout her illness and after,” said Seamus.

“I was lucky enough to be part of a great club when it happened and was supported well through it. I needed Tummery more than Tummery needed me, and they rallied around me. I also had great support from work colleagues.

“I’ve had a few close friends lose family members to suicide. I recently lost my father as well.”

In recent years, the Dromore man has taken part in multiple cycles across Ireland and throughout Europe to raise funds for various good causes.

However, raising awareness of suicide is something that is close to Seamus’s heart, and through his work as a fire-fighter he has also witnessed first hand the effect the illness can have on friends and families.

“In my line of work, I encounter some incidents with people trying to take their own life and unfortunately not everyone of them have been saved,” he continued. “I just want to do the cycle to raise awareness of the help and support being available to everyone from the charity.

“I want to help get the message out that it’s ok not be ok and to underline the importance of speaking to someone when having such thoughts. Obviously, the second element is raising some much needed money for the charity.

“It is a group cycle that will cover the length of Ireland from top to bottom covering 480 miles in five days.”

The cycle starts on Saturday May 21 and officially ends a week later on May 28. Seamus said any donation – no matter how big or small – would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made by clicking the link on his own, and ‘Tummery Athletic’, Facebook pages.