In Ireland, every year 1 in 5 adults between the age of 19 and 24, and 1 in 6 children between the ages of 11 and 13 will experience some form of mental disorder. The second year groups Bronte, Austen and Conan-Doyle saw a perfect opportunity to raise awareness and funds for such a relevant yet stigmatised issue. The completion of our C.S.P.E. Action Projects gave us the chance to do just that.
We decided that we would orchestrate a sponsored walk in Glendalough Co. Wicklow to raise money for Mental Health Ireland. We came to a mutual decision to raise funds for Mental Health Ireland as we found the work they do to support people who are struggling with mental illness extremely admirable. MHI is a national voluntary organisation which was established in 1966 as the Mental Health Association of Ireland. MHI’s aim is to promote positive mental health and wellbeing to all individuals and communities in Ireland. They have a network of 92 Mental Health Associations throughout the country, all led by volunteers. Their Mental Health Associations fundraise to organise outings and events for those struggling with mental health in their communities.
Our classes were split into committees to ensure all aspects of the Action Project were fully taken care of. MHI were very helpful in providing sponsorship cards. We spent roughly a week collecting sponsorship money and were delighted to find we had raised €3,050 for such a worthy cause.
The day itself was rather eventful and was filled with fun and arduous walking. All six second year classes took part in the raising of sponsorship and the walk itself. We set off at 7:50 and it’s safe to say some of the students were less than eager to be walking 13 kilometres at that stage of the day!
After an hour and a half long bus ride we arrived at Glendalough. Students were anxious to get moving so it was with excitement and exuberance we set off on our hike. For the first 30 minutes we were taken aback by the breath-taking scenery which surrounded us while we walked. As the slopes began to get steeper, the path became narrower and our surroundings wilder. We continued for 2hours in single file chatting (and some complaining) all the way, many stopping to take pictures along the way. We arrived at the lunch spot and were famished, so we ate hungrily. The arrival of a deer was met with elation among the students and was a much needed morale booster. We finished the walk and encountered many other schools also enjoying their day out.
Overall, this was a wonderful experience for all involved, one we are proud to say we took part in.
Thanks to Second Year student Jenny Thompson for this article and to Sam Baker Gorman from TY Journalism for all his assistance.