A Dublin man has been backpacking around Ireland in order to raise money for a local suicide prevention charity.
For the past 25 days, 28-year-old Darrell Monks has been walking and sleeping in a tent in order to raise funds for Finglas Suicide Network (FSN). The service, he said, saved his life last year, and they only asked him for a €5 per session.
Darrell said he was shocked at their generosity, after eight weeks, he only owed them €40. And noticing that they are under-resourced, a small service in a big town, he decided to do something to help them.
The St Margaret’s native said: “It was aching at me for weeks that I felt like I had to do something and I was going to do this anyway. So instead of just giving them my own money, I said, let's try a fundraiser, because I've always admired people who do charity and fundraising things.”
Read more: Dublin music therapy service will have free workshop for people with Parkinson's
Gardener Darrell started his backpacking journey by getting on a bus from Finglas to Shankill. He has only walked since, and he has already reached Ballinaboola in Co Wexford. He is planning to head to New Ross and then down to Waterford.
On this journey, every day is different for him. He said: “[In the morning] I fold up the tent and I take a quick look at my map on where I want to go next for the day and then I start walking.”
Finding places to camp has been tricky at times, so he mainly aims for in woodlands where they allow it. And he says the support of friends and people on social media have kept him going when he started getting homesick after so many days by himself.
He said: “I'll be honest, the main challenge I expected was the rain. But after about 15 days, I started getting quite homesick and I kept having drains about home, being with my family and my friends, my two dogs and my cat. And when I woke up, it would be quite – I think sad is just the word – and I would just have to shove it off and keep marching on because I owe the FSN.”
Another reason why he is doing this is to emphasise the importance of getting outdoors to help your mental and physical health. Darrell said: “Woodlands and going for walks, it’s been proven walking and being in nature is great for your mental health and this is the whole idea of what I'm doing.”
Darrell's fundraiser has already reached €2,245 at the time of writing. To check out his fundraiser, go to the official page .
READ NEXT:
Teen girl rushed to Beaumont Hospital after two friends die in Galway tree collision
Bank holiday 2023: The six remaining public holidays in Ireland and if you're entitled to a day off
Dublin weather: Met Eireann's numerous warnings as Ireland braces for gale force winds
To get the latest news to your inbox, sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter.
