North London cyclists take to Mayo roads to fundraise for suicide prevention

The OLSGEIRE cycle crew took to the roads of Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo the end of May in support of James’ Place Male Suicide Prevention Centre in London.

The group, based out of North London, numbering thirty in total, were joined this year by two new cyclists, young brothers Shay and Charlie Langan, aged eight and ten, who cycled the three days finishing ahead of many of the seasoned cyclists. Their grandfather Peter hails from Ballina.

Indeed there were three generations of the Langan family cycling the route. They were joined by their father Peter, aunt Claire and grandfather Peter Langan senior.

The cycle took in Dromahair, Parkes Castle, Yeats Grave (Drumcliffe) and the Gleniff Horseshoe on day one.

Day two was picturesque starting at the Riverside Hotel, Sligo then onto the coast road at Beltra, through Easkey finishing at the Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone. This was a very pleasant scenic cycle route but was hampered somewhat by headwinds of over 70kmph.

Day three started in Enniscrone and took in Ballina, Pontoon, Bofeenaun and Newport, before reaching Westport.

The group were met at the end of the cycle by the Cathaoirleach of the West Mayo Municipal District, Cllr Peter Flynn. A keen cyclist himself, Cllr Flynn welcomed the cyclists and congratulated the group on their endeavours over the years and this year’s fine achievement.

OLSGEIRE have set a huge target of £100,000 by the end of this year for James’ Place.

With male suicide rates at over 75 percent in the Uk for males and even higher at 83 percent in Ireland, the work of James’ Place cannot be underestimated.

“We are currently at £90,000, so please help us get over the line for this magnificent project,” said Noel Sainsbury, chief organiser of the fundraiser. James' Place is a fantastic project. I have had speakers from the charity giving talks in pubs and clubs in North London trying to get their name and good work out and known in the community.”

The group have supported many projects over the years including HCPT, The Forgotten Irish in London, YI West Belfast, Headway East London, Crumlin Hospital Dublin, Bart’s Heart Hospital London, St John Bosco Children’s Camps, North London Hospice, LMBBS and many other other worthy causes. By the end of the year total fundraising over the years will exceed £1 million.

Noel Sainsbury has planned a number of fundraisers this year aimed at bringing awareness to the work of James’ Place to help prevent future suicides.

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You can still donate at https://www.justgiving.com/page/olsgeireirishcycle2026.

For more information contact Noel on [email protected]’.