Strabane man raises over £2,400 in aid of mental health charity

The brother of Strabane man Davin Corrigan, who took his own life in 2018, has raised over £2,400 for the Koram Centre by running the Sligo Half Marathon in his memory.

Leon Corrigan said that the death of his brother in 2018 left him devastated, and the owner of three businesses at the time began to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs.

Leon said that it is only in the last year and six years on from the tragic death of his younger brother (pictured) that he feels like ‘himself’ again.

“After Davin’s death, I didn’t know how to react or feel; it took me a long time before I was back to feeling like myself again,” Leon described.

“I couldn’t cope and began to self-medicate with drinks and drugs.

“Before this, I was always responsible and had three businesses, but when you lose a loved one, it has such a huge affect on a person.

“I am good now, and I have got my life back to normal, and I love exercising and in the last ten week’s I have found a new passion for running.”

Leon said that he wanted to honour his brother’s life in someway and thought that he would challenge himself by running a half marathon. Before this the Strabane man said that he had never ran any form of long distance before, but on Sunday he completed the Sligo Half Marathon in aid of the Koram Centre.

“Before ten weeks ago, I hadn’t run more than two kilometres since school,” said Leon.

“It was a real challenge for me, and the first time I went out running, I only ran around two kilometres and was shattered. Doing the Sligo Half Marathon was a great challenge for me, and it was a great way to remember Davin.”

Leon said that the reason he chose the Koram Centre was the support the organisation gave to both he and to his brother Davin.

Leon had a number of counselling sessions while attending the Strabane facility, and Davin also spoke to a counsellor through the Koram Centre.

Leon added, “I wasn’t initially going to raise money, but a number of people approached me saying they wanted some way to sponsor me, so I decided to start the Just Giving page.

“I knew that the Koram Centre was the perfect charity to raise the money for. During my darker days, I went to them a few times and received counselling, and I know that Davin also went there.

“The Koram Centre does a lot of great work in Strabane helping people who find themselves struggling with their mental health, and I know their primary funding is from donations, so it was a no-brainer to choose them.”

Leon ended up raising over £2,400 for the charity through the Just Giving page, which is now shut. He said he would like to thank everyone who donated and supported him on the run.

Leon said, “I really do want to thank everyone who donated. I have always wanted to do something to show how much Davin meant to me and the whole family. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will all go to a great use.”

He added, “I think this is just the start of me doing stuff for charity, and I’ve caught the running bug.

“Next year, I think I will go on to do another run. I am not sure when and where yet, but after Sunday, I know I will run another race for sure.”