Many across the city of Derry have been impacted by mental health and suicide.
Last year, Derry man Danny Quigley inspired the city after completing 10 Ironman challenges in 10 days, raising £100,000 for much-needed health and wellbeing services in the city.
Now, Danny is back for an even tougher challenge, dedicated to remembering lost lives to suicide.
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Launching his new challenge on social media, Danny said: "My new challenge is the celebration of life. Next year August 2023 the plan is to swim the river Foyle from Lifford through Lough Foyle into the North Channel hopefully to raise money for the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum and Foyle Search and Rescue.
"I want to dedicate every kilometre of the swim to someone who has completed suicide or suffered from mental illness. The idea of the celebration comes from celebrating a person’s life for who they were, what they achieved, what they loved doing rather than highlighting how they died."
Speaking on the connection of the River Foyle to Derry's history, Danny said: "Derry, not as we know it. Is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in all of Ireland. Archaeologists have dated the first settlers of Derry back as early as the 6th century, long before Belfast and long before Dublin, there was Derry.
"I’m sure you all have heard the story, but it was St. Colmcille that founded Derry after building his monastery on the banks of the Foyle. But why did he choose Derry to set up shop? It was because of the Foyle River. He built his monastery somewhere where ancient people could live, he needed fresh running water and access room to build a port, for trade in the future. Derry was founded, and it was because of the Foyle.
"We come from a very historic place, but before the Brandywell and the Bog, before the streets and city centre, before Austins or Doherty’s or even the walls themselves, we had the river, and our river was here long before we were and it’ll be here long after we’re gone."
Danny Quigley's mammoth 10 Ironmen challenge had been dedicated to the memory of his father, Colm Quigley. Now Danny hopes to connect with other families who have went through similar situations in dealing with mental health.
He said: "Last year, I done the 10 in 10 challenge, it was one of the most overwhelming times of my life. The challenge was for to raise awareness around mental health, an epidemic that’s hit Ireland.
"It’s been a year and I’m ready for a new challenge, I want to continue my journey. Although it’s important to raise awareness and caution around mental health, it’s also important to celebrate the lives of people we lost, remembering them before they got sick, remembering the good days."
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